In a recent incident in Super 14 Rugby in South Africa, a tackler lifted the ball carrier from the ground and subsequently let the ball carrier fall to ground.  Two top International referees - one the referee and one the touch judge - decided the offence deserved a yellow card.  The Judicial Officer decided that this was insufficient.  Based on video evidence, he decided that the tackler should have been sent off and suspended him for three weeks. 

The IRB agreed and has issued guidelines for scenarios when a tackler horizontally lifts a player off the ground:  

• The player is lifted and then forced or “speared” into the ground. A red card should be issued for this type of tackle.
• The lifted player is dropped to the ground from a height with no regard to the player’s safety. A red card should be issued for this type of tackle.

• For all other types of dangerous lifting tackles, it may be considered a penalty or yellow card is sufficient.  

   

   

  To see the video of the incident, click here.

   

  To see the IRB letter and the Judicial Officer's report, click here