All Black winger suspended

NEWS: Blues wing Mark Tele’a has copped a three-match suspension for an ugly tackle.

Tele’a, who is bound for Japan at the end of the year, lifted Reds outside back Tim Ryan and dumped him on his head in Brisbane during the Blues’ defeat last Friday night.

The Super Rugby Pacific Foul Play Review Committee (FPRC) has handed Tele’a a three-week suspension after finding him guilty of a lifting tackle in contravention of Law 9.18.

The tackle on Ryan, for which Tele’a received a red card, occurred in the 31st minute of the match between the Reds and Blues in Brisbane on ANZAC Day.

The FPRC determined that the low-range entry point of six weeks/matches was appropriate for the incident. In light of the player accepting he committed an act of foul play as well as mitigating factors such as his prior disciplinary record, the FPRC applied the full 50 per cent reduction in sanction.

Tele’a will miss all but one of the Blues’ remaining regular-season matches, starting with Friday’s home match against the Blues.

He will also miss Friday week’s away game to the Drua, and their week 14 match against Moana Pasifika.

Mark Tele’a with a huge tackle 😬 Should this be a red card?

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