Slap on the wrist for 'Super cheap shot'
Queensland Reds lock Angus Blyth will miss three Super Rugby Pacific games for the late, high shot on Corey Toole that left the Brumbies wing bloodied and concussed.
Blyth launched himself blindly at Toole with a ducked head, collecting the wing on the chin in the ninth minute of his first start of the season.
His yellow card was upgraded to red by the review officer, Blyth was then handed a six-game suspension on Tuesday that was downgraded to three.
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In a SANZAAR statement, the panel deemed it as “reckless, direct head contact with high force” but not deliberate.
Blyth’s previously clean record and an early guilty plea were enough for the panel to halve his suspension.
It means he’ll miss Friday’s clash with Moana Pasifika in Samoa, as well as a Brisbane clash with the Western Force and trip to Townsville to play the NSW Waratahs.
The Reds are 2-5, coach Brad Thorn conceding he’s battling for answers as discipline issues like Blyth’s red card and general errors continue to haunt the side.
