Michael Claassens has been issued a “Citing Commissioner Warning” for kicking Warren Whiteley on Saturday.
The SANZAAR release is as follows:
“Michael Claassens of the Sharks has been issued with a Citing Commissioner Warning for contravening Law10.4(c). A player must not kick an opponent, during a Super Rugby match at the weekend.
The incident occurred in the 72nd minute of the match between the Sharks v Lions played at Growthpoint KINGS PARK, Durban on Saturday 9 April, 2016.
At a ruck late in the match, Claassens kicks out with his right foot and makes contact with the arm of the Lions #8. The kick, although making contact with the arm of the Lions #8 was not forceful and caused no injury.
An Citing Commissioner Warning may be issued by the SANZAAR Citing Commissioner for foul play incidents that are very close to, but in his opinion do not meet the Red Card threshold for citings.
In this case the referee for the match did not act upon the incident. Upon further review of the match footage the Citing Commissioner deemed a Citing Commissioner Warning was appropriate.”

Seriously?
Some of these citings are for things utterly benign.
Naughty boy…haha
@lostfish (Comment 1) : that was my thought too.
So they cited him for foul play, then decided that doing nothing was the correct call for said foul play and will stand by the call to do nothing?
Now that is some top end job creation.
Any citing for Coles’ two shoulder charges? (Let me guess….no)
@FireTheLooser (Comment 6) : Dont be silly…hahaha
Well the way Whitely was bleating …….
@SheldonK (Comment 7) : Like all NZ rugby players, any future citings will rely on his “exemplary disciplinary record”….’tis infuriating.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 9) : The one Coles hit was late…well off the ball…no arms…and high…ive seen red cards given for less
@SheldonK (Comment 10) : I detest the preferential treatment being given to certain countries, teams and players.
It seems to be rife in every form of rugby…international, franchise, club and Varsity.
It seems every rugby organisation is compromised, and I wonder how many results have been influenced by “tilting the odds” in favour of the house?
@robdylan (Comment 4) : Your post heading makes that very clear… 😀 Beauty…
@FireTheLooser (Comment 6) : It is literally unbelievable! One kak poor joke after another…
@SheldonK (Comment 10) : Absolutely…we were saying so on the updates thread…shocker…I’m starting to lose my sense of humour over all this!
@robdylan (Comment 4) : nice heading boss!!!
What does a “Citing Commissioner Warning” actually mean in practice?
@Bokhoring (Comment 16) : I assume it means the incident is not worth mentioning, but SANZAAR wants to have another dig at Gold via his team for committing the offence of going at a TMO who just made a decision in favour of the “favourite sons” team.
@Bokhoring (Comment 17) : 😆
@Bokhoring (Comment 16) : For the record:
Citing Commissioners are entitled to issue a Warning to any player who has, in his/her opinion, committed an act(s) of Foul Play that (in the words of World Rugby) “falls just short” of warranting that the player be shown a red card (where such act(s) did not result in a yellow card or a red card). Players who accumulate three or more Citing Commissioner Warnings or who are issued with three yellow cards for Foul Play offences, or a combination of both, will be required to attend a Disciplinary Hearing.
@pastorshark (Comment 19) : so basically it’s an off field yellow card?!
@JD (Comment 20) : Yup…