Crusaders star to miss big NZ derbies

The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee has accepted a guilty plea from Franks for contravening Law 9.12: Striking a player with the arm, after he was cited during a Super Rugby Match at the Weekend.

Franks has been suspended from all forms of the game for two weeks, up to and including Saturday, June 2.

It means Franks will miss the Crusaders' upcoming matches against the Hurricanes and the Chiefs.

The incident occurred in the 36th minute of the match played at Eden Park

The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee of Nigel Hampton (Chairman), Stefan Terblanche and John Langford assessed the case.

In his finding, Hampton ruled the following: 

"Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles, and a statement from the player and submissions from his legal representative, Aaron Lloyd, the Foul Play Review Committee upheld the citing under Law 9.12. 

"With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of four weeks. However, taking into account mitigating factors including the players good record over an extensive playing history which includes only one previous judicial sanction, his expressed remorse and apology to the other player, and the player's guilty plea at the first available opportunity, the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension to two weeks.

"The player is therefore suspended for two weeks, up to and including Saturday 2 June 2018."

All SANZAAR disciplinary matters are in the first instance referred to the Foul Play Review Committee to provide the option of expediting the judicial process.

For a matter to be dispensed with at this hearing, the person appearing must plead guilty and accept the penalty offered by the Foul Play Review Committee.