Ex-All Black Malakai Fekitoa cops ban for incident in Benetton thrashing

Former All Black Malakai Fekitoa has been handed a ban following an incident in Benetton’s 43–0 loss to Edinburgh in Round 4 of the BKT United Rugby Championship on Friday, October 17.

The citing commissioner reported the Benetton inside centre for an act of foul play in the 43rd minute, under Law 9.13 – which prohibits tackling an opponent early, late or dangerously, including contact above the line of the shoulders.

Fekitoa’s no-arms tackle on Edinburgh fly-half Cammy Scott forced the Scottish playmaker off for a head injury assessment and it was reviewed by a disciplinary panel comprising Ben Rutherford (chair, Ireland), Neil Snellenburg SC (South Africa) and Stefan Terblanche (South Africa).

The panel determined that the former All Blacks star’s offence met the red card threshold, with a mid-range entry point warranting a six-game suspension.

Fekitoa received 50 per cent mitigation due to his clean disciplinary record, remorse and exemplary conduct during the process, reducing the ban to three matches.

If the 33-year-old successfully completes World Rugby’s Coaching Intervention Programme, his suspension could be cut by a further week.

The Tongan born centre burst onto the NZ rugby scene with the Blues and then the Highlanders and became an All Black in 2014. He earned 24 caps and was part of the side that won the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

After leaving New Zealand in 2017, he played for Toulon, then Wasps, before joining Munster in 2022.

Following a brief stint in Limerick, he signed for Benetton in 2023.