The Sharks’ reserve forward, Epi Taione, has been suspended for six weeks for headbutting a Wellington Hurricanes player in their Super 14 rugby clash on the weekend.
Taione was sent off by referee Paul Marks for headbutting Hurricanes forward Jeremy Thrush in a maul during the Wellington match, which ended in a 13-13 draw.
Taione told a hearing on Monday he did not intend to headbutt Thrush, who was struck on his chin but not injured.
Judiciary officer Nicholas Davidson said in a ruling released on Tuesday it was open whether the headbutt was intentional, but concluded the Tongan Test player’s action was ”grossly reckless”.
Taking into account a suspension in 2004 for biting, Davidson suspended Taione until May 19.
Lions prop Ross Geldenhuys was cleared of striking Highlanders player Jamie Mackintosh in the head with his knee after a scrum collapsed in their match in Dunedin on Friday.
Davidson said the video evidence did not clearly confirm the act was deliberate. — Sapa-AFP