Halfback crisis for Chiefs

Chiefs halfback Finlay Christie has been suspended for three weeks for ‘reckless’ stamping that grazed an opponent’s head in their 16-7 win over the Western Force in Perth on Saturday.

The Sanzaar Foul Play Review Committee, which said Christie’s offence merited a six-week ban, accepted a guilty plea from the 22-year-old for contravening Law 10.4(b) stamping/trampling on an opponent after he was cited.

The Chiefs face a halfback crisis for their next match against the Sunwolves in Hamilton on Saturday because they could have no No 9s available from their original squad.

Tawera Kerr-barlow is doubtful after suffering a head knock against the Force and Brad Weber is out for the season with a broken leg.

Kerr-barlow goes through a return to play protocol this week, which players must follow after concussion.

Christie has replaced the All Blacks halfback in four matches of his debut Super Rugby season but cannot play up to and including Friday 19 May, after being cited for stamping in the 42nd minute of the encounter in Perth.

He won’t be available until the Chiefs face the Blues at Eden Park on May 26 and he’ll miss contests against the Reds and the Crusaders after the Sunwolves.

Foul Play Review Committee chairman Nigel Hampton said Christie faced a six-week ban but his youth and inexperience, his excellent disciplinary record, his contrition and his early guilty plea were mitigating factors.

Hampton said in a statement: ‘‘Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles and additional evidence, which included an additional video clip, a statement from the player and submissions from his legal representative, Aaron Lloyd, the Foul Play Review Committee upheld the citing under Law 10.4(b).

‘‘With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of six weeks.

‘‘The Committee viewed the player’s action as reckless and although as a result of that action the player made contact with the forehead of the opponent, such contact was made with a comparative lack of force (the opponent thought that his head had been ‘stood on’) and resulted in a grazing of the skin and no laceration.’’

Christie was named in the Chiefs’ original squad after impressing for Tasman in his debut NPC season last year.

His first Super Rugby outing came in round three as the Chiefs beat the Hurricanes 26-18 in Hamilton.