Western Force centre Tevita Kuridrani handed three-week ban

Western Force centre Tevita Kuridrani has been suspended for three games following his yellow card incident in the recently concluded Super Rugby AU game against Queensland Reds.

The Australian international was cited for a tip tackle on Reds centre Hunter Paisami in the second minute of the game at HBF Park for which he was sin-binned.

The case was investigated by SANZAAR’s foul play review committee which deemed that the 30-year-old's action deemed red card and was initially handed six-week ban that was reduced by half taking into account the mitigating factors.

"The judiciary determined that the act of foul play merited a low end entry point of six weeks,” said a SANZAAR statement.

“This was primarily due to the reckless rather than intentional nature of the action which ultimately placed Kuridrani’s opponent in a vulnerable position but which did not cause an injury to the opponent.

“When taking into account mitigating factors including the player’s relatively good judicial record over a long career and the fact the player pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity, the foul play review committee reduced his suspension to three weeks.”

Kuridrani will now miss the qualifying final game against Brumbies and also the final against Reds if Force managed to emerge victorious on 1st May.

Meanwhile, Rebels duo Isi Naisarani and Pone Fa'amausili, who were red carded during the game against Waratahs have also been suspended for three games apiece.