New Zealand prop Angus Ta'avao handed three-week ban

New Zealand prop Angus Ta’avao has been suspended for three games following his red card incident in the recently concluded Test against Ireland in Dunedin.

Ta'avao was sent-off in the 31st minute of the game for a reckless tackle on Ringrose, who took a blow on his head and both the players had to be replaced following the incident.

He faced an independent disciplinary hearing via a video conference with the panel comprising of chair Wang Shao-Ing (Singapore) and joined by former player Leon Lloyd (England) and former coach Frank Hadden (Scotland).

Ta'avao was handed a six-week ban that was reduced by half taking into account his previous disciplinary record and other mitigating factors.

“Having reviewed all the evidence, the committee applied the Head Contact Process and upheld the red card under Law 9.13,” read the statement.

“On that basis, the committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of six weeks given the direction by World Rugby that ‘any act of foul play which results in contact with the head and/or the neck shall result in at least a mid-range sanction’.

“Taking into account the player’s excellent disciplinary record and the mitigating factors under Regulation 17, the Committee granted the player full mitigation of 50 per cent to three weeks, resulting in a sanction of three weeks.

"The committee also approved the player’s application under the Head Contact Process – Coaching Intervention Programme. If the coaching application is approved, the player’s sanction could be reduced by one week.

“The player has the right of appeal within 48 hours of the issuing of the full written decision, which will appear here once published.”

The third Test will be played at Sky Stadium in Wellington on 16th July.