Brumbies star learns his fate after divisive red card
NEWS: Queensland Reds prop Dane Zander will miss three rounds of Super Rugby Pacific for a dangerous tackle while Brumbies ace Tom Banks has escaped with a warning from the SANZAAR judiciary.
While Zander will be sidelined until April 23, Banks is free to line up against the Reds in Brisbane on Saturday, when he will be up against Queensland fullback Jordan Petaia in a Wallabies shootout.
Zander was red carded for a high tackle in the 30th minute of Queensland’s 32-20 win over the Waratahs and submitted a guilty plea to the foul play review committee.
They deemed it a mid-range offence, which has a penalty of six weeks, but this was reduced to three after taking into account his clean record and plea.
As well as the Brumbies match, Zander will miss out on clashes with the Melbourne Rebels and the Hurricanes.
As a first-time offender Zander can apply to have the final week of the sanction substituted by undergoing a “coaching intervention” which addresses tackle technique.
Meanwhile, Banks received an official warning after his red card for a high tackle during the Brumbies’ win over the Western Force.
Banks clashed heads with Toni Pulu as he tried to stop the Force wing scoring a first-half try.
The review committee dismissed the red card and issued Banks with a warning.
They found the initial contact was shoulder to shoulder, there was an effort to wrap his arms in the tackle and Pulu contributed to the contact with a sudden and late change in direction.
