Wallaby hooker banned for spear tackle
Sun, 05 Sep 2010 12:51
Double trouble: Wallaby twins Anthony and Saia Faingaa. (c) Gallo
Australian hooker Saia Fainga'a was suspended for two weeks on Sunday, after being found guilty of a dangerous tackle.
Fainga'a was cited by SANZAR Citing Commissioner Steve Hinds for a spear tackle on Springbok replacement lock Flip van der Merwe in the 69th minute of the Tri-Nations Test between South Africa and Australia in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
Australian won the Test 41-39.
Fainga'a pleaded guilty to the charge.
Judicial Officer Nigel Hampton reviewed video evidence of the incident and took testimony from the player.
He noted the International Rugby Board's stance on the seriousness of such incidents, but regarded the tackle as reckless rather than intentional.
Fainga'a's guilty plea, his expression of remorse and otherwise impeccable record was taken into account in passing sentence.
The Judicial Officer regarded the offence as at the lower entry-level of sanctions and, having taken into account all factors, suspended Fainga'a for two weeks.
He will be suspended from all rugby until September 19 and will miss the Wallabies' final Tri-Nations Test against the All Black in Sydney this coming Saturday.