All Blacks lock Scott Barrett suspended for three weeks

New Zealand lock Scott Barrett has been suspended for three weeks following his red-card incident in the recently concluded Bledisloe Cup clash against New Zealand in Perth.

The 25-year-old was sent-off just at the stroke of half-time for a shoulder charge on the head and neck of Michael Hooper and the incident proved costly for the All Blacks as they succumbed to a 47-26 defeat.

Barrett appeared before a SANZAAR judicial committee and was proved guilty of the charges where he was initially suspended for six weeks that was reduced into half taking into account his conduct during the hearing and other mitigating factors.

“Taking into account mitigating factors including the player's exemplary judicial record, his expressed remorse and the fact the player has pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity, the committee reduced the suspension to three weeks,” read a statement from SANZAAR.

Barrett's suspension will remain until 1st September which means he will be free to play for New Zealand in the warm-up game against Tonga in Hamilton n 7th September.

New Zealand are positioned in Pool B in the Rugby World Cup along with South Africa, Italy, Namibia and Canada and will kick-start their campaign on 21st September in Yokohama.