'Dispensation doesn't pass the pub test' ahead of major semi-final showdown
The Wagga City President doesn't sound a Happy Chappy at the moment- Maybe the Dispensation process needs to be looked at in the Future but City are doing a lot of grumbling in the background even with the suspension of one of their players from last Weekend- which from all accounts was a 'Barry Crocker' of a tackle.
There will be no love lost between City & Waratahs tomorrow at 3;30pm
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More fuel has been thrown onto the fire of Southern Inland's biggest rivalry as the two clubs prepare to battle for a grand final berth.
Wagga City raised their concerns over
Southern Inland's finals dispensation process after Waratahs had two players cleared for the major semi-final showdown at Conolly Rugby Complex on Saturday.
Forwards Angus Burns and Luke Turner were both given permission to play in finals despite not playing five games required to automatically qualify.
Injury was used by Waratahs to apply for dispensation on Tuesday.
Wagga City were part of the dispensation process however Boiled Lollies president Dan Ribot is unsatisfied with the outcome, particularly regarding Burns.
"You've got a player you have been flying down or is travelling down from Sydney to play, has only played three games. I think it makes a bit of a mockery of the competition," Ribot said.
"It turns the dispensation process into a bit of a mockery if people are just going to be waved through without any scrutiny.
"It doesn't really matter. 'Tahs had two people and we probably would have said yes to one and no to the other only because it didn't really pass the pub test as far as I'm concerned.
"It doesn't matter as we've got some depth in that area and despite our injury concerns we can still get through."
Burns, who has linked with Waratahs this season, hasn't played since injuring his hip against Ag College in round 10.
However with the clearance to play finals is expected to line up on Saturday.
Ribot also said there were a
number of dispensations handed to Leeton's players the club would have questioned more vigorously.
However as the lower ranked teams had already cast affirmative votes, minor premiers Wagga City's opinion could not change the outcome by that stage.
Wagga City have a number of injury concerns heading into the big clash as they look to extend their unbeaten score.
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They will also be without winger Waisale Sauvinaloto for the rest of the season after he was suspended by the Southern Inland judiciary on Wednesday night.
Sauvinaloto was found guilty of a mid-range dangerous tackle after being red carded early on in their win over Tumut on Saturday.
Ribot was disappointed not to get the charge downgraded.
"We've got depth in that position but obviously Wais is a big loss," Ribot said.
"I don't think the incident necessarily fits the ruling but that's just my opinion and my opinion doesn't count unfortunately.
"I think there were some inconsistencies in regards to the referee's report and what was clear on the video.
"Namely that it was said there were no mitigating circumstances, which was clear from the video footage that there was. The player dropped their body height and the attacking player had a late change of direction.
"It's never good to see players collide that way but it was an accident and I think there was enough to probably put us into that low threshold."
The base sanction for low-range dangerous tackle is two weeks with a mid-range offence starting at six.
However mitigating factors were taken into account by the judiciary with Sauvinaloto handed a three-game bar.
Two Leeton players were also barred by the Southern Inland judiciary after their controversial game with Waratahs on Saturday.
Both were found guilty of dangerous tackle charges.
Tevita Taga will miss five games for a mid-range offence while Remesio Maimasirua was handed a two-game ban.
As both did not apply for dispensation to qualify for second grade this week their penalties will not start until next season.
