Sunday 5 March 2017 09:32, UK
Steven Luatua has been suspended for four weeks after his high tackle during Auckland Blues' Super Rugby defeat at the Chiefs.
Luatua, who will join Connacht head coach Pat Lam at Bristol in the Aviva Premiership following the conclusion of the Super Rugby season, was shown a red card just prior to half-time in Hamilton for the challenge and was accordingly cited afterwards.
The 25-year-old was sent off for taking out Chiefs' wing Tim Nanai-Williams around the neck and head on Friday in an off-the-ball challenge, and subsequently pleaded guilty.
The Blues went on to lose 41-26 with Luatua tweeting a public apology after the game.
Luatua, who has 15 caps for the All Blacks, appeared in front of a disciplinary panel in New Zealand on Sunday, with the Sanzaar Foul Play Review Committee of Nigel Hampton QC (Chairman), Stefan Terblanche and John Langford accepting Luatua's guilty plea.
Committee chairman Hampton said the player's "early admission of guilt and his remorse for his actions" merited reducing a potential six-week suspension to four weeks.
"Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles and additional evidence, including from the Player and submissions from his legal representative, Aaron Lloyd, we upheld the red-carding of the player under Law 10.4(e) Dangerous tackling of an Opponent," said Hampton in his ruling.
"With respect to the sanction, the Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of 6 weeks. However, taking into account mitigating factors including the player's early admission of guilt and his remorse for his actions, the suspension was reduced by two weeks.
"The player is therefore suspended for four weeks, up to and including Saturday 1 April 2017."
World Rugby have directed match officials to show zero tolerance to high tackles in recent months, with an aim to eradicate them from the game.
Blues coach Tana Umaga admitted before the hearing that he accepted there should be no leniency.
"If you can't adjust your tackling style or tackling discipline, it's not going to be good for the team," said Umaga.
"We can't question Steven's [Luatua] want to do well for this team it is just a technical thing that he needs to work on."
Luatua will next become available for selection for the Blues' derby against the Highlanders in Dunedin on 8 April.
