We turn to the level of danger. NZ10’s head made direct contact with the Player’s right shoulder.
NZ10 bounced off and was pushed backwards by the Player, who also took a few steps back. The collision was not at high speed and the force not high. Much of the energy in that collision came from NZ10’s momentum, such as it was. When assessing force, the Player’s actions, as we have found them to be, are important. Those actions were not to effect dynamic dominance but to brace for contact and to protect himself. It is of note that he took steps back after contact: he was not driving forward.
Further, there was also arm/upper body contact between them, particularly on the Player’s right hand side, which was clearly visible in the additional footage Ireland provided to us. That body/arm contact aggravated the dramatic appearance of the collision. It may also have exacerbated the apparent extent of the head
contact. That analysis is consistent with NZ10’s assessment that the Player “controlled his force, which prevented a more serious collision”.
In light of those factors, we are satisfied the player discharged the burden in establishing that the degree of danger was not high. It was not low either and so the starting point was yellow not red card.
