Force star to miss trans-Tasman Super Rugby start
DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Western Force wing Toni Pulu has been banned for three games for his clumsy tackle during the Super Rugby AU semifinal against the Brumbies.
Pulu was sent off for a high shot on Brumbies centre Irae Simone during Saturday’s 9-21 defeat for the Force.
The incident occurred in the 40th minute.
The SANZAAR foul play review committee accepted a guilty plea from Pulu and suspended him from all forms of the game for three weeks, up to and including May 21.
Pulu will miss a Perth Premier Grade match and two trans-Tasman Super Rugby games against the Chiefs and Highlanders.
SANZAAR released a statement confirming the suspension.
“Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles and additional evidence, including from the player and submissions from his legal representative, Michael Tudori, the Foul Play Review Committee upheld the Red Card under Law 9.13.” the statement read.
“With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of 6 weeks due to the World Rugby instructions that dictate any incident of foul play involving contact with the head must start at a mid-range level.
“However, taking into account mitigating factors including the Player’s good judicial record and pleading guilty at his first available opportunity the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension to 3 weeks,”
“The player is therefore suspended from all forms of the game up to and including May 21,”
