Brumbies skipper Allan Alaalatoa handed three-week ban

Brumbies skipper Allan Alaalatoa has been handed a three-week ban following his red-card incident in the recently concluded Super Rugby AU game against Rebels.

The 27-year-old was sent-off at the stroke of half-time after his shoulder made contact with the head of Rebels prop Pone Fa'amausili but despite his absence, Brumbies went on win the game with a 27-24 margin.

Alaalatoa appeared before a SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee and the panel deemed his action was a breach of Law 9.13 and was initially handed a six-week ban that was reduced by half taking into account his conduct during hearing, guilty plea and other mitigating factors.

"The Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of six weeks due to the World Rugby instructions that dictate any incident of foul play involving contact with the head must start at a mid-range level," committee chairman Adam Casselden SC ruled.

"However, taking into account mitigating factors including the player's clean judicial record and pleading guilty at his first available opportunity the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension to three weeks."

Brumbies hold the top place in Super Rugby AU with three wins from as many games and will face Queensland Reds next in the fourth round at GIO Stadium on 13th March.