Wallaby handed three-week suspension, Highlander to face judiciary

Queensland Reds centre Hunter Paisami has been suspended for three Super Rugby Pacific matches for a dangerous tackle.

Paisami was found guilty of collecting his Moana Pasifika opposite number Lalomilo Lalomilo during the Reds’ 56-36 victory in Brisbane last Friday night.

At the time, the Wallabies midfielder wasn’t penalised as the TMO believed there were sufficient mitigating factors, including a significant drop in body height.

Attacking the Reds try line, Lalomilo stepped back inside and caught Paisami out.

The Super Rugby Pacific Foul Play Review Committee found the 26-year-old guilty of committing a dangerous tackle in contravention of Law 9.13.

The FPRC determined the mid-range entry point of six weeks/matches was appropriate but, in light of the player, accepting he committed an act of foul play as well as mitigating factors such as an exemplary disciplinary record, applied the full 50 per cent reduction in sanction.

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

Paisami stands to miss key Reds games against the unbeaten Western Force on Saturday, followed by clashes with the Crusaders and NSW Waratahs.

The case against Highlanders replacement Daniel Lienert-Brown, meanwhile, will take place at a judicial committee hearing on Tuesday night.

Lienert-Brown was red-carded for alleged dangerous ruck play in the Highlanders’ 29-21 win over the defending champion Blues on Saturday.