All Blacks prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi won’t play again through the Tri-Nations after being suspended for three matches for a high tackle that saw him sent off in their clash with the Wallabies.
Tu’ungafasi was given a red card early in the Suncorp Stadium Test for a clumsy hit on Australian winger Tom Wright.
He faced a SANZAAR disciplinary hearing on Tuesday after the All Blacks elected to fight the charge, but was given the ban, which is up to and including February 20.
That takes in New Zealand’s remaining two Tri-Nations matches against Argentina, including Saturday’s Bankwest Stadium clash.
The judicial committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of six weeks, which was halved due to Tu’ungafasi’s clean judicial record.
Wallabies flanker Lachie Swinton received a four-match ban on Monday for a similar tackle, which also drew a red card.