Dangerous tackle sees Super Rugby star banned for three matches
NEWS: Moana Pasifika’s Augustine Pulu has been handed a three-week suspension after being found guilty of a dangerous tackle by the Super Rugby Pacific Foul Play Review Committee (FPRC).
Pulu was shown a red card in the 17th minute of Moana Pasifika’s clash against the Blues at Eden Park on March 15, after making direct contact with an opponent’s head with a swinging arm in the tackle.
The FPRC ruled the incident met the threshold for a mid-range entry point of six weeks, citing the nature of the contact and the absence of any mitigating factors at the time of the offence.
However, Pulu’s admission of guilt, clean disciplinary record, and expressed remorse saw the sanction reduced by the maximum 50 per cent, resulting in a three-match ban.
He will miss Moana Pasifika’s upcoming fixtures against the Crusaders (March 21), Highlanders (March 27), and Chiefs (April 11).
Pulu has also been granted permission to apply for World Rugby’s Coaching Intervention Programme, which could allow him to substitute the final match of his suspension.
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