Reds centre cops a ban despite not being shown a card

NEWS: Reds centre Hunter Paisami has had his judgement handed down by the Super Rugby Citing Commissioner for a high tackle in his side’s win over Moana Pasifika despite it being deemed not a yellow-card offense during the game.

Paisami was found guilty of collecting his Moana Pasifika opposite number Lalomilo Lalomilo during the Reds’ 56-36 victory in Brisbane last Friday night.

At the time, the Wallabies midfielder wasn’t penalised as the TMO believed there were sufficient mitigating factors, including a significant drop in body height.

Attacking the Reds’ try line, Lalomilo stepped back inside and caught Paisami out.

The Super Rugby Pacific Foul Play Review Committee found the 26-year-old guilty of committing a dangerous tackle in contravention of Law 9.13.

The FPRC determined the mid-range entry point of six weeks/matches was appropriate but, in light of the player’s acceptance that he committed an act of foul play and mitigating factors such as an exemplary disciplinary record, applied the full 50 percent reduction in sanction.

Paisami was also permitted to apply to participate in World Rugby’s Coaching Intervention Program as a substitute for the final match of the sanction.

Paisami stands to miss key Reds games against the unbeaten Western Force on Saturday, followed by clashes with the Crusaders and Waratahs.

The case against Highlanders replacement Daniel Lienert-Brown, meanwhile, will take place at a judicial committee hearing on Tuesday night.

Lienert-Brown was red-carded for alleged dangerous ruck play in the Highlanders’ 29-21 win over the defending champion Blues on Saturday.