Melbourne Rebels centre Ray Nu’u is set to miss the remainder of the Super Rugby Pacific season after receiving a four week suspension — his second ban of the competition.
The 24-year-old was sent off in the final minute of the Rebels’ win over Moana Pasifika for a high shot on playmaker Christian Lealiifano.
A SANZAAR judicial committee found Nu’u guilty of a dangerous tackle and ruled him out of action for four weeks, up to and including May 29.
The judicial committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of six weeks but reduced it to four after taking into account Nu’u’s remorse and age.
The Moana Pasifika match was his first back from a three-week ban for a dangerous tackle.
Nu’u’s suspension is the equal-heaviest of the Super Rugby Pacific season as he joins Crusaders captain Scott Barrett and Fijian Drua skipper Nemani Nagusa in earning four-match bans.
With four rounds remaining, starting with the Blues on Friday night in Auckland, and the Rebels unlikely to play finals, Nu’u is set to see out the season from the stands.
In other judiciary news, Crusaders lock Hamish Dalzell has been suspended for three weeks for a dangerous tackle in the second half of their loss to the NSW Waratahs.
Elsewhere, Chiefs lock Samipeni Finau has been issued a warning by SANZAAR after he was sent off late in his side’s 27-25 win over the Reds in Brisbane last weekend.
The suspensions of Nu’u and Dalzell takes the total number of bans dished out by SANZAAR this Super Rugby Pacific season to 10.
Other players to have been suspended this year include Barrett, Nagusa, Rebels utility back Reece Hodge, Reds prop Dane Zander, Blues prop Nepo Laulala, Reds flanker Tuaina Taulima, Crusaders hooker Shilo Klein, Blues wing Caleb Clarke, Hurricanes hooker Asafo Aumua and Highlanders lock Josh Dickson.
Finau, Reds prop Taniela Tupou, Brumbies fullback Tom Banks and Waratahs prop Angus Bell have also faced the judiciary committee this season, but have all escaped with warnings.
– Additional reporting by AAP
