Australia's Lachie Swinton suspended for four weeks

Australia flanker Lachlan Swinton has been handed a four-week suspension following his red-card incident in the recently concluded Rugby Championship game against New Zealand in Brisbane.

Swinton was sent-off in the 35th minute for a dangerous tackle on New Zealand's Sam Whitelock and faced a disciplinary hearing chaired by Adam Casselden SC.

He was charged for a breach of Law 9.13 that deals with 'A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously'.

Panel chairman Adam Casselden SC said Swinton's act warranted mid-range sanction and was initially handed a six-week ban that was reduced by two weeks taking into account his guilty plea and other mitigating factors.

“The act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of six weeks, he said.

"However, taking into account mitigating factors including the fact the player has pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity, the foul play review committee reduced the suspension to four weeks.

"The player was not entitled to a full 50% reduction due to the presence of two prior offences on his record.”