Highlanders star Sam Gilbert has been whacked with a long ban for an ugly tackle on Waratahs captain Michael Hooper.
Gilbert will spend the next five weeks sidelined from all forms of rugby, his ban not lifted until June 26.
It was during the first half of Sunday’s Super Rugby boilover in Dunedin when Gilbert was red-carded for lifting Hooper off the ground and dumping him on his head.
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The Wallabies skipper and 118-Test veteran later called for his opponent to be suspended for the incident.
“I don’t wish that on anyone,” Hooper said.
“These things happen in this game but I was disappointed that it happened to me. He should miss some weeks I think.”
Hooper got his wish, with SANZAAR’s foul play review committee handing down the suspension two days later.
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“With respect to sanction the foul play review committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of 10 weeks due to a combination of features including the degree of recklessness exhibited and the danger posed to the tackled player,” committee chairman Michael Heron said.
“Taking into account mitigating factors including the player’s clean judicial record, his acceptance of foul play, the foul play review committee reduced the suspension to five weeks.”
Hooper had the last laugh as the Waratahs scored a stunning upset win in enemy territory.
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