Ex-All Black Augustine Pulu suspended for red card against Blues

Moana Pasifika will be without ex-All Black Augustine Pulu for at least two weeks following a ban issued by the Super Rugby Pacific foul play review committee.

Pulu was awaiting his fate this week after receiving a red card in Moana Pasifika’s 43-7 loss to the Blues on Sunday. The 36-year-old’s dangerous tackle on his opposite, Sam Nock, saw a swinging arm make contact with the Blues halfback’s head.

Pulu apologised to Nock on the sidelines during the match and accepted he had committed an act of foul play at his hearing.

When assessing the dangerous tackle, the committee noted no mitigating factors in the play and found Pulu guilty of breaking Law 9.13. It was determined that a mid-range suspension of six weeks was an appropriate entry point, before considering Pulu’s guilty plea and prior disciplinary record and reducing the suspension to three weeks.

The halfback was also granted the opportunity to reduce the ban by one further week by taking part in World Rugby’s coaching intervention programme.

Moana Pasifika, after losing their starting halfback in just the 17th minute of Sunday’s match, fell to their fourth loss of the season and currently sit in last place on the table.

The team have three big games against Kiwi opposition awaiting them during Pulu’s suspension, with his absence ensured during the Crusaders and Highlanders fixtures, while a return could be on the cards for the Chiefs game should the halfback complete the World Rugby intervention program.

Pulu is the second player to receive a suspension in the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season, following Tamaiti Williams’ three-week ban for dangerous play at the ruck.