Brumbies react after Peni pays price over ugly Dagg tackle

Brumbies winger Chance Peni has been suspended for five weeks following a dangerous tackle on Israel Dagg in a 21-8 defeat to the Crusaders on Saturday.

Peni was shown a yellow card in the 19th minute of the Super Rugby match following a high challenge that caught Dagg around the head and forced the New Zealand international to be replaced.

And the Brumbies flyer has submitted a guilty plea that was accepted by SANZAAR's Foul Play Review Committee, leading to a suspension that will run up to and including June 17.

The Brumbies, who are fourth in the Australian Conference, will be without Peni for their next four matches.

“It’s disappointing to lose Chance until after 17 June as we felt that the incident had been dealt with appropriately at the time by the highly experienced referee and TMO,” Brumbies CEO Michael Thomson commented.

“We do however respect the decision of the Judiciary and will look forward to having Chance back available for action after 17 June.”

Peni will miss the Super Rugby fixtures against the Rebels at GIO Stadium, the two-week tour to South Africa which encompasses matches against the Lions in Johannesburg and the Bulls in Pretoria, the home clash with the Sunwolves and the game against Suntory in the June Test window.

Committee chairman Nigel Hampton said in a statement: "With respect to sanction, the Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of six weeks.

"The player has received two previous periods of suspension for similar incidents in the preceding 12 months, and the Foul Play Review Committee added a further week to the sanction for that aggravating factor.

"However, taking into account mitigating factors, including the player's remorse shown on field and his pleading guilty at the first available opportunity, the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension to five weeks."

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Dagg is reportedly now unlikely to make his All Blacks return against France in June, having suffered a setback to a long-term knee injury in the tackle.

He posted on Instagram: "No harm intended, brother [Peni]. It's all good. Time to rehab and get back very soon."

New Zealand's first Test against France takes place at Eden Park in Auckland on June 9th.

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