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Lienert-Brown to miss the Rugby Championship after being suspended
By Ben Smith
Chiefs midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown has been suspended following his tackle on Crusaders wing Dallas McLeod which resulted in the No 14 being forced from the field in the Super Rugby Pacific final.
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Lienert-Brown was yellow carded for the tackle which was later upheld by TMO Brendan Pickerill but the citing commissioner believed that the contact was above the red card threshold and decided to cite the incident.
After a SANZAAR judiciary hearing on Monday, the Foul Play Review committee has handed Lienert-Brown a three-week suspension under Law 9.13: A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously.
The Committee’s opinion veered drastically from the match officials view of mitigating circumstances being present, with a statement confirming there were ‘no significant’ mitigators.
“With respect to sanction, the Foul Play Review Committee held the act of foul play was reckless, with direct head-to-head contact made, high force and no significant mitigating factors present,” a statement read.
“The FPRC found the incident was dangerous and, after considering the relevant factors, decided the foul play merited a mid-range entry point of 6 weeks. Taking into account mitigating factors, including the Player’s exemplary record and guilty plea, the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension by three weeks.”
Lienert-Brown will be suspended up until and including July 29, which rules the midifielder out of international duty for the All Blacks for the duration of the Rugby Championship.
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Their last fixture of the Rugby Championship tournament in Melbourne against the Wallabies is scheduled for July 29, however Lienert-Brown would be available for the second Bledisloe Cup fixture on August 5th.
Making it clear, if he's been given a red as he should have been the saders would have put them away by 20 points easy, ay Isaac? Justice done
Does this mean we might finally get to see Jack Goodhue back in black?
Ironically, the most likely beneficiary of Lienert-Brown’s suspension is likely to be Dallas McLeod. Aside from Jordie Barrett, the only other player who covers 2nd 5/8 in the AB squad is McLeod. Forster has already been on record stating the selectors look at him in that position than as a wing. Assuming he gets over his concussion stand-down, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him on the bench and get game time in the next month.