Reds lock Angus Blyth handed three-game ban
Angus Blyth was red carded during the game against Brumbies
©PA
Queensland Reds lock Angus Blyth has been handed a three-game ban following his red card incident in the recently concluded Super Rugby clash against Brumbies.
Blyth was sent-off in the ninth minute of the encounter for a dangerous tackle on Corey Toole, who left the field concussed.
He was initially handed a yellow card but was instantly upgraded to red card under Super Rugby Pacific's new rules regarding foul play.
Blyth faced an independent disciplinary hearing and was initially handed a six week suspension that was reduced by half taking into account the guilty plea, conduct during hearing and other mitigating factors.
"Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles and additional evidence, including submissions from the player and his legal representative, Mark Martin KC, the Foul Play Review Committee upheld the Red Card under Law 9.13," Foul Play Review Committee Chairman Michael Heron said in a statement.
"With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee considered the act of foul play was reckless, direct head contact was made and with high force. The Committee found it was not deliberate and after considering all relevant factors decided the foul play merited a mid-range entry point of 6 weeks.
"However, taking into account mitigating factors including the Player's clean judicial record and his acceptance of guilt at the first available opportunity, the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension to 3 weeks."
