Nonu to answer for spear tackle

Highlanders and All Black midfielder Ma'a Nonu will have to answer to a SANZAR judicial officer or his act of foul play at the weekend.

Nonu was red-carded in the 59th-minute of his team's 12-40 loss to the Crusaders in Dunedin at the weekend.

Nonu will be charged with having contravened Law 10.4 (j): Dangerous Tackling – Lifting Tackling.

The case is to be considered in the first instance by SANZAR judicial officer Jannie Lubbe.

All SANZAR disciplinary matters are in the first instance referred to a judicial officer hearing to provide the option of expediting the judicial process.

For a matter to be dispensed with at this hearing, the person appearing must plead guilty and accept the penalty offered by the judicial officer.