Ta’avao suspended for 3 weeks

All Blacks prop Angus Ta’avao has been suspended for three weeks after he was shown a red card in their second test loss to Ireland at the weekend.

Ta’avao was sent off in the first half of the match, which All Blacks lost 23-12 in Dunedin, when he clattered head-first into Ireland centre Garry Ringrose’s face.

World Rugby said the sanction could be reduced to two weeks if Ta’avao completes the governing body’s coaching intervention programme.

Ta’avao admitted that he committed an act of foul play but maintained that a red card was not warranted due to the presence of mitigating factors.

Having reviewed all the evidence, the committee applied the head contact process and upheld the red card.

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 Ta’avao’s excellent disciplinary record and the mitigating factors under Regulation 17, the committee granted 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 and coaching intervention programme. If the coaching application is approved, the player’s sanction could be reduced by one week.

Ta’avao has the right of appeal within 48 hours of the issuing of the full written decision. The All Blacks are to face Ireland on Saturday in Wellington.