Risk v reward: Tahs’ Kepu conundrum

But the conundrum, according to NSW coach Daryl Gibson, is by appealing the dates and matches involved in Kepu’s suspension, the door is also reopened for World Rugby to potentially increase his prop’s suspension.

“We are trying to determine our next step because there is a bit of risk in it,” Gibson said.

Kepu was banned by World Rugby this week until March 4 after getting sent off while playing for the Wallabies against Scotland at the weekend.

Kepu pleaded guilty to leading with a shoulder into a ruck and hitting Scotland’s Hamish Watson in the head. His six-match suspension was reduced to three matches due to a good record and an early plea.

It was determined Kepu’s ban would include one Waratahs trial match and their first two Super Rugby games, against the Stormers at home and Sharks in Durban.

Wallabies management appeared for Kepu in Edinburgh and submitted the Brisbane Tens in February should also count, but the final judgment did not include it.

It is believed there was no reasoning given behind the status of matches in the full written judgment, which provides some measure of scope for NSW Rugby to appeal and get Kepu back a week earlier in Super Rugby.

The New Zealand Rugby Union successfully appealed for the All Blacks’ three-half trial game in August to be included in a four-match suspension for Sonny Bill Williams.

The independent appeals panel’s decision was contentious and World Rugby said they would look to tighten up the definition of a “meaningful” match at the next World Rugby Regulations Committee meeting in September.

It’s unknown whether any formal decisions were made that might rule out the Tens as the equivalent to a full trial match for a Super Rugby team.

“​We are just determining what are the chances that they do recognise the Global Tens as a recognised, endorsed event,” Gibson said.

“That’s the crux of it for us: whether we have grounds to go for it or we just take our medicine. ​Keps has admitted the contact was dangerous and we are not contesting that at all. If we go for an appeal, you open a door for a different finding, they might decide to increase it.”

There is no way to narrowly petition World Rugby on the status of matches without reopening the entire case, said Gibson.

Asked if he might just view the two matches as “enforced rest” for Kepu after another high-minute season for NSW and Australia, Gibson said: “I think I would prefer to have him available.”

Kepu’s presence would be hugely beneficial for the Waratahs in Durban, given the Sharks are usually armed with a strong scrum.