US centre Alev Kelter receives three-match ban for stamping on head
Photo:
Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz
United States women's centre Alev Kelter was handed a lenient three-match suspension on Tuesday after receiving a red card for stamping on the head of Australia's Georgina Friedrichs during Saturday's Pacific Four Series clash in Canberra.
The Wallaroos claimed their first win 27-19 over the US on home soil, with the match soured by Kelter's actions.
Kelter was shown a straight red for repeatedly stomping on the head of Friedrichs, who was trying to complete a tackle.
The 34-year-old accepted that she had committed an act of foul play and that the referee's decision to award a red card was correct.
"The independent Disciplinary Committee determined that full mitigation was appropriate, resulting in a final sanction of three matches to be applied," World Rugby said in a statement.
"On careful review of the footage, and considering the player's evidence and submission, the Committee found that the player was not deliberately targeting the head of the Australian player, but rather was reckless in her actions (as she accepted)."
Kelter has the right to appeal the ban within 48 hours. However, it is on the low end of potential sanction, with mid-range reckless or dangerous play resulting in at least six-match bans up to a maximum of 52 matches.
Australian media had expected a much longer ban for Paris Games bronze medallist Kelter, with some describing her actions as 'thuggery,' while others speculated she could miss part of the Women's Rugby World Cup later this year in England.
Kelter will miss the US's next Pacific Four Series match against the Black Ferns and two Women's Elite Rugby matches for her club Bay Breakers on 7 and 14 June.
-Reuters
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
4 hours ago
- RNZ News
Wool meets rugby: Norsewear open letter sparks talks with NZ Rugby
A playful jab on social media has led to talks of collaboration between New Zealand Rugby and Norsewear. Photo: Supplied / Norsewear A playful jab on social media has led to a serious yarn between New Zealand Rugby and Norsewear, after the wool clothing company called out the use of offshore-made synthetic beanies in official All Blacks merchandise. Now, the Hawke's Bay-based manufacturer is in discussions with the sporting body on a potential collaboration that could see Kiwi wool proudly adorning Kiwi rugby fans. Owner Tim Deane RNZ's told Checkpoint the open letter posted to Facebook on Thursday was prompted after feedback from rugby fans, annoyed to discover their official headwear was acrylic. "Earlier this week, we were contacted by some die-hard All Blacks fans upset that their All Blacks beanies are synthetic, offshore imports," the post read. "They told us some synthetic beanies are being used as fire starters instead of head warmers. "Doesn't it follow that our sporting legends might wear the very fabric our Kiwi identity is wrapped up in? "Wool and rugby? It's a combo that makes a whole lot of sense. "We want those cauliflower ears protected from the cold." A day later, Deane said he received a call from NZ Rugby. "They were very good-natured about it… and said the post had a number of them smiling in the New Zealand Rugby offices." "They said, look, we'd love to chat in the next couple of weeks just to see if there's anything we could work together on." Deane said the post was meant to highlight a broader issue: New Zealanders talk about supporting local wool but often buy synthetic imports. "In the case of our company, our core business is socks. Eighty percent of the socks in this country are imported, and most of them are not made of wool," he said. Deane argues that New Zealand wool products can be competitively priced. "You can buy a Norsewear Hudson beanie for $29.95," he said, noting it's cheaper than some of the official synthetic alternatives. At the time of the interview, the official All Blacks acrylic beanie retailed at $45. Beyond beanies, Norsewear has already scored a major supply contract with the New Zealand Defence Force. "All of the soldiers, sailors, and aviators will be wearing our socks," Deane said. "We supply a number of other big organisations as well." That's because, said Deane, wool's benefits go beyond national pride. "It's antimicrobial, thermoregulating, durable, and biodegradable. And it doesn't need to be more expensive than synthetics." With talks now on the table, Deane said he's optimistic. "We'll be sitting down with [New Zealand Rugby] in the next couple of weeks to see if we can cook something up." In a written statement, NZ Rugby acknowledged Norsewear's outreach: "We work with a range of amazing Kiwi-based and global businesses… but we're always up for a conversation. In keeping with the theme, NZ Rugby commercial manager Yanie Guthrie tied off the correspondence with a playful pun: "So thank ewe to Norsewear for reaching out." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
5 hours ago
- RNZ News
Hamilton gearing up to host All Blacks vs France
Hamilton is gearing up to host the All Blacks and France tomorrow evening. Sports reporter Jamie Wall spoke to Melissa Chan-Green. Tags: To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
RNZ News
6 hours ago
- RNZ News
All Blacks seeking series sweep over France
The All Blacks are seeking a series sweep over France with victory in tomorrow night's sold out third and final test in Hamilton and locals are keen to brush off any suggestion the city isn't a desirable destination. All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has made ten changes to his starting side for the match, with seven of the new players from the Chiefs. Rugby reporter Joe Porter reports. Tags: To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
