Sunwolves winger Semisi Masirewa has been suspended for three weeks by a SANZAAR foul play review committee for his lifting tackle on Waratahs flyhalf Bernard Foley.
Masirewa was issued a red card late in the first half of the Super Rugby clash on Saturday night after tackling and lifting Foley off the ground, leading to the Waratahs captain hitting the ground head first.
Former Western Force back Masirewa’s remorse and guilty plea helped reduce his ban.
“With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a low-end entry point of six weeks,” said Foul Play Review Committee Chairman Nigel Hampton QC.
“However, taking into account mitigating factors including the player’s good judicial record, his immediate and repeated apology to the other player, his remorse and his guilty plea at the earliest possible convenience, the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension to three weeks.”
Foley was eventually fine to continue playing on Saturday and the Waratahs went on to win the game 77-25 at Allianz Stadium.