Crusaders wing Nemani Nadolo has been handed a four-week suspension by Sanzaar Judicial officer Chris Morris after pleading guilty to a lifting tackle on Brumbies scrum-half Tomas Cubelli.
The Fijian International will miss a month of rugby after the incident was picked up following the Crusaders’ dominant victory over the Brumbies in front of 16,000 fans in Canberra on Sunday afternoon.
Nadolo performed the dangerous tackle in the 39th minute of the game contravening Law 10.4 (j).
The Crusaders have a bye this week meaning Nadolo will effectively only miss three matches.
They will be without their super star wing against the Reds in Round 11, the Highlanders in Round 12 and the Waratahs in Round 13.
If Nadolo returns to face the Blues in Round 13, he will have only have the one match of Super Rugby before the June International break in which Fiji are competing in the Pacific Nations Cup, facing Tonga first up on the 11th in Suva.
Morris assessed the case and found the following:
“After careful consideration of the available evidence and the very helpful submissions of Mr Lloyd the offence was categorised as low-end which carries a four (4) weeks suspension.
“During the hearing the player pleaded guilty to the charge.
“I took into account as mitigating factors the player’s disciplinary record after a lengthy professional career, his guilty plea and the fact that the tackle was reckless rather than deliberate. The Player was therefore given a two-week discount on the original sanction creating a recommended sanction of two (2) weeks.
” I took into account World Rugby memorandums about lifting tackles and the need to deter this very action from the game. As such I found it necessary to add two (2) additional weeks to the recommended sanction.
“The Player is accordingly suspended from all rugby for four (4) weeks until 21 May 2016 which effectively is a three match Super Rugby suspension. We were provided with proof that he would have been selected to play in a club match on 30 April 2016, which the player will also miss as a result of the suspension.
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