Went looking for my previous comment on this incident but couldn't find it so it might be in another thread. From initial viewing I didn't think that there was that much in it, but thems the rules. You make contact with a players face, and there is medical evidence to prove it, you can expect to cop some punishment. I am loath to say that the punishment in this case was too much, as I am with Cyclopath is saying that the face and head should be treated a sacrosanct. If contact is made with the eye, accidential or otherwise, blindness can result and therefore should not be allowed. Last season, and this season already, there were a few incidents where players were wrestled away from rucks by their heads. This practice should also be meet with a 10 week ban.
I don't believe that there is any mention of contact being 'accidential' or not in the laws. Any allowance for 'accidential' I think has been in the 'norm' rather then the 'rule'.
It will be interesting to see how the use of the white card continues during the season and also if the consistancy is maintained.