Slap on the wrist for 'naughty' All Black

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: One-time All Black Tyrel Lomax has pleaded guilty to a foul play charge.

The SANZAAR foul play review committee has accepted the guilty plea from Lomax, the Hurricanes prop, for contravening Law 9.16.

He was red-carded during his team’s 15-24 loss in a Super Rugby encounter with the Blues at the weekend.

Lomax has been suspended from all forms of the game for three weeks, up to and including Friday, March 27.

The incident occurred in the 46th minute of the match between the Hurricanes and Blues in Wellington this past Saturday, March 7.

The SANZAAR foul play review committee of Adam Casselden (Chairman), Eroni Clarke and Stefan Terblanche assessed the case.

“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, Aaron Lloyd, the foul play review committee upheld the red card under Law 9.16,” Casselden said.

“With respect to sanction the foul play review committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of six 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 clean judicial record and the fact the player has pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity – the foul play review committee reduced the suspension to three weeks.

“The player is therefore suspended for three weeks, up to and including the Friday 27 March 2020.”