Hurricanes player Ma’a Nonu has been suspended for one week after being found guilty of a dangerous tackle in the Rebel Sport Super 14 match between the Hurricanes and Highlanders at Carisbrook, Dunedin, on Friday night.
His teammate Jerry Collins has been found guilty of an act contrary to good sportsmanship arising from his rolling of his forearm across the face of Highlanders player David Hall during the match.
Both players appeared before SANZAR Judicial Office Bruce Squire QC in separate hearings at the New Zealand Rugby Union offices in Wellington this evening. The players were represented by legal representative Tim Castle, Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper and manager Tony Ward.

Ma’a Nonu
Nonu was cited by Citing Commissioner Mike O’Leary for the dangerous tackle on Highlanders player Clint Newland in the 55th minute of the match. At the hearing Mr Squire viewed video footage of the incident and heard evidence from Nonu. Nonu accepted that the tackle was dangerous and in breach of the Law under which he was cited but claimed that the tackle warranted a minimal penalty only.

Mr Squire considered a range of matters put to him in that regard and accepted that a lower end entry point of two weeks suspension was appropriate. Having regard to Nonu’s acceptance of responsibility, and a previous record only marginally blemished by an appearance before the SANZAR Judiciary in 2005 in which no effective penalty
was imposed, Mr Squire considered a penalty of one week suspension was sufficient in the circumstances. Nonu was suspended from all rugby for one week up to and including 17 March 2008. As a result, Nonu will be unavailable for selection for the Hurricanes next match against the Brumbies on Friday 14 March.

Jerry Collins
Collins was alternatively cited for punching or striking in breach of Law 10.4 (a) and an act contrary to good sportsmanship in breach of Law 10.4 (k) of the Laws of the Game, following a tackle on Highlanders player David Hall in the 67th minute of the match.
The allegation was based on Collins rolling his forearm across the face of Hall following the tackle.
No injury of any consequence was suffered by Hall and although Collins claimed he was acting in self defence, Mr Squire did not accept that.
In the result, Mr Squire found that Collins had not punched or struck Hall but was satisfied that what he did was an act contrary to good sportsmanship.
On the issue of penalty, Mr Squire considered that the matter was very much in the least serious category of foul play on the rugby field.
In that situation, and having regard to a number of matters put before him concerning Collins’ role as a leading player in the Hurricanes and his other rugby community activities, Mr Squire considered that the guilty finding of foul play was a sufficient penalty in itself and, in the exercise of his discretion, imposed no suspension.