Moana Pasifika midfielder learns fate after high shot against Brumbies

Peni was yellow-carded twice in the Canberra contest against the Brumbies, resulting in his high shot being automatically upgraded to a 20-minute red card.

There was under a quarter of the matchup to go, meaning Moana Pasifika, who ended up securing their second win of the season, played with 12 men for the remainder of the game.

Peni was tracking back on a Brumbies line break when Tom Wright fired an inside ball to Andy Muirhead, before head-on-head contact occurred.

The Foul Play Review Committee (FPRC) ruled Peni to be guilty of a high tackle on Muirhead in contravention of Law 9.13.

“The dangerous play, for which Peni received a second yellow card and was cited, occurred in the 63rd minute of the Round 16 match between the ACT Brumbies and Moana Pasifika at GIO Stadium, Canberra.

“The FPRC determined that the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of six weeks/matches.

“In light of Peni’s acceptance that he committed an act of foul play, as well as mitigating factors such as his disciplinary record and remorse, the FPRC applied a fifty per cent reduction in the sanction.

“Peni was also given permission to apply to take part in World Rugby’s Coaching Intervention Programme as a substitute for the final match of the sanction.”

As Moana Pasifika have been knocked out of the competition in 11th place, the Southland midfielder will serve his suspension in Auckland.

The 26-year-old Samoan international will miss three Auckland Club Rugby games, including Grammar Tech v Ponsonby, Saturday, 6 June, Suburbs v Ponsonby, Saturday, 13 June, and Ponsonby v College Rifles, Saturday, 20 June.