Harlequins' Mat Luamanu banned for five weeks over dangerous tackle

by Frank Nickson Wednesday 9 November 2016

Harlequins' Mat Luamanu (left) has been banned again by the RFU after being hit with a three-week suspension in September

©PA

Harlequins forward Mat Luamanu has been handed over a five-week ban by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) for dangerous tackling.

The charge against Luamanu for dangerous tackling, contrary to Law 10.4(e), was heard in London this evening.

Luamanu, who pleaded not guilty, was handed over a five-week ban. He is free to play again on 13 December.

Match referee Craig Evans booked the back row forward in the weekend’s Anglo Welsh Cup clash between the Quins and the Chiefs for a dangerous tackle on the opposition fly-half Will Hooley.

Chairman of the RFU discipline panel, Sir James Dingemans said: “The panel upheld the citing, concluding that Mathew Luamanu had committed a dangerous tackle because he had made contact with his head, having been reckless within the meaning of RFU Regulation 19.11.8(b) and Appendix 5. The panel imposed a suspension of five weeks.”

The 27-year-old New Zealander was banned for three weeks by the RFU for a tackle on the Sale forward Josh Beaumont in September.