Otago's Sio Tomkinson has received a six-week suspension for his shoulder charge on Auckland's Simon Hickey on Saturday.
With time expired in Auckland's 38-6 win, Tomkinson came flying out of the defensive line to make a spot tackle that ultimately resulted in a shoulder directly to Hickey's head and left the Auckland first-five prone for several minutes.
Referee James Munro sent Tomkinson from the field with a red card.
NZ Rugby judicial officer Nigel Hampton has determined Tomkinson's action was "reckless" and resulted in an injured player being forced from the field.
Hampton has also taken into account Tomkinson’s "immediate admission of wrongdoing and expression of regret", which reduced the penalty from the maximum of 10 weeks.
The suspension is Tomkinson's second of the year, after he was banned for three weeks for a shoulder charge on Brumbies player Tom Banks, while playing for the Highlanders back in February.
Tomkinson will miss Otago’s matches against Manawatu, Taranaki, Hawke’s Bay, Wellington, Counties Manukau and Northland.
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