Queensland Reds centre Hunter Paisami is expected to miss two games in Super Rugby Pacific after his citing against Moana Pasifika was upheld.
The Super Rugby Pacific Foul Play Review Committee (FPRC) on Monday night found Paisami "guilty of committing a dangerous tackle.”
This followed referee Paul Williams, his touch judges and the Television Match Official (TMO) at Suncorp Stadium calling play on after a tackle on centre Lalomilo Lalomilo in the 30th minute of the Reds’ 56-36 victory.
Paisami was given a three-week suspension but it can be reduced by a week if Paisami undertakes “tackle school” through World Rugby's Coaching Intervention Program.
This would make him available for the March 15 clash against the NSW Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium.
"It's unfortunate for us, we certainly feel for Hunter," Reds coach Les Kiss said.
"Our first thought was to protect Hunter. We were very happy with how the referees and the TMO and the on-field officials handled the matter.
"However these things go into the space it did. We considered a lot of things deep into the night and we asked for an extension about how we can approach this because we were keen to protect the situation and fight it.
"However time pressures just get on top of you, we probably didn't want to take the risk and go further with it.
“We just thought it was right to take the two weeks after Hunter does his tackle school and just work that way and move forward."
The FPRC upheld the citing issued to Paisami and determined the mid-range entry point of six weeks/matches was appropriate.
"In light of the player accepting he committed an act of foul play as well as mitigating factors such as an exemplary disciplinary record, the FPRC applied the full 50 per cent reduction in sanction,” an official statement said.
