SANZAR have made it compulsory for judicial officers to consult a nominated former player in the course of their disciplinary deliberations.
SANZAR chief Greg Peters said ”It will enable the judicial officer to have an adviser sitting with him who’s played the game in the professional era and can provide advice on the more technical aspects of submissions mounted by players during the hearing,”
”If, for example, there was an issue about clearing out at the ruck and an argument was mounted by the player that he was coached to do it that way, the judicial officer could call on the advice of the former player sitting with him to see if the argument is accurate.”
Inconsistent rulings, heavily criticised by the media and public alike in recent times, have no doubt prompted the change to the system. And it seems to carry some logic.
The former players will basically act as a consultant for the judicial officer, but only be used in cases that go to full hearings – as a player could enter a guilty plea the first time the case is heard.
Each country’s player association will appoint the players, with SANZAR making sure to avoid appointing a former player to a case if they had any prior involvement or alignment with the accused player or club.
SARPA are yet to appoint the South African ex players.
