Outside back Jordie Barrett was handed a heavy suspension after receiving a red card in the Hurricanes’ last-gasp Super Rugby win at the weekend.
Barrett was initially shown a yellow card on Saturday for a high tackle on Reds fullback Jordan Petaia, which was upgraded to a red card after a review by the television match official.
“The FPRC assessed the player’s actions as having directly contacted the head, at high speed, with high force and while the player’s body position was always upright,” said Foul Play Review Committee chairperson Stephen Hardy in his finding on Wednesday.
“Barrett is suspended for three weeks, up to and including March 22, 2024.”
Barrett, who has played 57 Tests for New Zealand, will miss matches against Auckland Blues, defending champions Crusaders and Rebels.
The nail-biting 38-33 win over the Reds in Melbourne was Barrett’s 100th appearance for the Wellington-based Super Rugby team.
The scores were tied at 26-26 when Barrett was carded midway through the second half.
The contest went to a golden point with Hurricanes replacement prop Pasilio Tosi scoring the winning try in extra time.
© Agence France-Presse
Photo: Mike Egerton/PA