Sale Sharks hooker Nathan Jibulu has been banned for six weeks after biting an opponent during their Investec Champions Cup last-16 defeat to Harlequins.
Jibulu admitted to the offence, which carries a minimum sanction of 12 weeks under World Rugby regulations.
The disciplinary panel applied the low-end entry point before reducing the suspension by 50% due to his remorse, inexperience and clean disciplinary record.
Jibulu will therefore miss Sale’s Champions Cup quarter-final clash against Leinster in Dublin on Saturday.
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Meanwhile, Toulon will be without Ma’a Nonu for their quarter-final against the Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun Stadium on Saturday.
The veteran centre was handed a three-week suspension on Tuesday for a dangerous tackle on Stormers replacement centre Wandisile Simelane in the 79th minute of their last-16 clash at Stade Mayol.
Nonu was initially shown a yellow card, but the incident was later reviewed and cited.
At an independent disciplinary hearing, the 43-year-old accepted that his actions warranted a red card. The panel upheld the citing, finding that he had contravened Law 9.13 by tackling Simelane dangerously.
World Rugby’s sanctions for such offences carry a mid-range entry point of six weeks, which was applied before being reduced by half due to Nonu’s clean record, acceptance of wrongdoing and expression of remorse.
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The former All Black is set to be sidelined until 27 April, although he could return a week earlier if he successfully completes World Rugby’s coaching intervention programme.
Both players and EPCR retain the right to appeal their sanctions.
Photo: Alex Davidson/Getty Images
The post Sharks hooker banned for bite, Nonu suspended appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Sale Sharks hooker Nathan Jibulu has been banned for six weeks after biting an opponent during their Investec Champions Cup last-16 defeat to Harlequins.
The post Sharks hooker banned for bite, Nonu suspended appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
