SANZAR 'fail'

This weekends latest sequence of events has to be the cherry on the top of an extremely poor season showing for the SANZAR Judicial Committee.

Something has to be done to ensure a more standardised system across the board. I do understand that certain situations have mitigating circumstances, but at the same time certain offences should have a due punishment regardless. For example, a spear tackle,is highly dangerous and should carry a standardised suspension period for any player of any team.

SANZAR Judicial Citing ‘fails’ over the last year:

• Brad Thorn upends John Smit in an incident that could result in a serious neck injury, subsequently ending Smit’s Tri Nations. Thorn doesn’t even get as much as a yellow card, and is later suspended for a measly 1 week
• Bismark Du Plessis rolls his knuckles over the ‘facial area’ of a player, not making contact with the eyes and receives a 3 week ban
• Bakkies Botha receives a 5 week ban, reduced to 3 weeks for what wasn’t much more than a shove on Phil Waugh.
• Rory Kockott receives a red card, and a 1 week ban for striking a player with an open hand. (It was wrong and silly of him, but Adam Thompson should also find out when he can collect his Oscar for the show he put on)
• Sione Luaki almost decapitates Bryan Habana, then gets off on a technicality.
• Brett Sheehan blatantly and maliciously shoulder smashes Brad Barrit, causing concussion. Barrit has to be helped from the field, Sheehan gets off scott-free.
• Scott Staniforth pastes Tiaan Liebenberg, a punch-up ensues, Liebenberg is sent from the field.
• Tewis De Bruin upends Akone Ndungane in a tackle, receives a 3 week suspension.

Is it just me, or does anyone else see a pattern here?

I’m not complaining about SA players getting the short end of the stick, or bias towards South Africans. All I want is to see a standardised system where all incidents are treated according to a grading system, with pre-determined and documented punishments across the board.