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Blues prop Nepo Laulala handed ban after red card for dangerous clean out
By Sam Smith
Blues prop Nepo Laulala has been handed a three week suspension following his red card on Tuesday night against Moana Pasifika.
The 30-year-old entered a ruck in the 57th minute with projectile force and connected his shoulder into the head of a Moana Pasifika tackler Fini Inisi.
The incident was reviewed on the field after the passage of play finished and referee Paul Williams issued a red card after the TMO review.
The All Black pleaded guilty to the charge of dangerous play in a ruck or maul but he received a reduced sentence
"With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of 6 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," Committee chairman Michael Heron said in a statement on Thursday.
“Taking into account mitigating factors including the Player's clean judicial record, his acceptance of foul play and his expressed remorse, the Judicial Committee reduced the suspension to 3 weeks.
Laulala can apply for the Head Contact Process Coaching Intervention which could see a further one week reduction in the suspension following the completion of the tackling course.
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Hard to disagree with the 5 points - with the exception that Wilson should be a squad member but, depending on the other loose forward selections, is not yet a shoo-in. McReight is. Aussie is looking a lot better this year and JS has some selection options. Also, Havili’s tendency to get caught, charged down is also a liability at times but he seemed focused (mostly) and is definitely a consideration for utility back-up. Still feel Reihana is a better prospect at 1st five for Saders.
Go to commentsThink it was a great defensive performance by Northampton. They didn't have stage fright in the first half, the Nienaber defense smothered them. They limited Leinster to 15-3 in the first half. It could have been over by then. A great try from Leinster in the start of the second half looked to have sealed it. But Byrne missed another conversion. Northampton started trying little kicks behind the Leinster wingers. Leinster messed one and Smith brilliantly made the conversion. Leinster decided to tighten the game after Byrne missed a straight forward penalty. A few errors got NH into the 22 and they scored and converted with a few minutes left. Another brilliant steal from Lawes saw NH have a final attack which was turned over by Conan. A classic semi final. World record attendance of 82,300. Leinsters 3 week preparation warranted for this one.
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