New Zealand centre Anton Lienert-Brown handed three-game ban

All Blacks centre Anton Lienert-Brown will miss the start of the Rugby Championship tournament following a three-week suspension.

Brown was yellow carded while playing for the Chiefs in the 9th minute of the Super Rugby Pacific final against Crusaders for a dangerous tackle.

He faced an independent SANZAAR Judicial committee and was initially handed a six-week ban that was reduced by half taking into account his guilty plea and past disciplinary record.

"The Foul Play Review Committee held the act of foul play was reckless, with direct head-to-head contact made, high force and no significant mitigating factors present," the FPRC chairman Michael Heron ruled in a statement.

"The incident was dangerous and, after considering the relevant factors, decided the foul play merited a mid-range entry point of six weeks".

Lienert-Brown is now certain to miss New Zealand's Rugby Championship games against Argentina and South Africa on 9th and 15th July respectively. He could be available for the first Bledisloe Cup clash against Australia in Melbourne if he successfully completes the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme.