The FPRC chaired by Adam Casselden (Australia), joined by former players John Langford (Australia) and Ofisa Tonu'u (New Zealand), met on Sunday, 31 August 2025 to consider the case.

The FPRC reviewed the red card issued for a Law 9.13 offence (dangerous tackle) and proposed a sanction of three matches (reduced to two on successful completion of the Coaching Intervention). The sanction was not accepted by the player and the matter will now be considered by a Disciplinary Committee for a full in-person hearing which will take place in the coming days.

In accordance with the remit of the expedited off-field sanction process trial, sanctions are proposed in line with Appendix 1 of Regulation 17. The FPRC meets without the attendance of the player or their representatives, or World Rugby. However, written submissions may be provided by the player to the FPRC for consideration.

The FPRC has the power to:

  • Issue a warning
  • Offer the player a proposed sanction based on Appendix 1 of Regulation 17
  • Refer the matter for a full hearing before a Disciplinary Committee
  • Dismiss the red card and/or citings only in the case of mistaken identity

In determining the sanction, the FPRC noted the player accepted that foul play occurred but did not accept that the offence warranted a red card. The committee reviewed the matter, including all submissions and footage, and determined that Tawake's actions were contrary to Law 9.13 (dangerous tackle) and that she affected a dangerous upright tackle on the ball carrier in breach of Law 9.13. The committee found that her actions were not intentional but nonetheless reckless.

Applying the Head Contact Process, the committee found that there was a high degree of danger and no mitigation could be applied to bring the act of Foul Play below a high degree of danger and upheld the red card.

On the basis of all the evidence before them, the committee decided that the offending warranted the mandatory mid-range entry point of six matches. The committee decided to award full 50 percent mitigation resulting in a final sanction of three matches, reduced to two on successful completion of the Coaching Intervention.

Read more about the expedited off-field sanction process here.

Read the full guide to the off-field sanction process here.