Blues wing Caleb Clarke has been handed a three-week suspension for a dangerous contact charge incurred against Moana Pasifika on Saturday.
In the second half of the Blues' 46-16 win at Eden Park, Clarke mistimed his attempted chargedown of a chip kick by Tomasi Alosio, making contact with the wing's head and subsequently being shown a red card by referee James Doleman.
On Wednesday night, the former All Blacks wing fronted the SANZAAR judiciary in the hope of avoiding suspension but was unsuccessful, and will miss the next three games on the schedule.
The 23-year-old will be sidelined for upcoming fixtures against the Chiefs, Crusaders, and Fijian Drua, before returning for the trip to Perth to face the Force.
The judiciary panel said they took into account Clarke's previously unblemished record, his genuine remorse, and his young age, when making their decision, which saw the sentence reduced from the maximum six-week penalty.
As Alosio kicked ahead down the right touchline, Clarke lept to charge the kick down, but realised mid-flight that he was about to collide with his counterpart and tried to bail out. Both players landed heavily and Alosio had to be helped off with possible concussion.
Clarke argued he was attempting a legitimate charge down and couldn't change direction mid-flight but Doleman deemed Clarke's challenge "reckless" with contact to the head and pointed him to the sideline.
Speaking after Saturday's game, Blues coach Leon MacDonald defended Clarke's action as accidental.
"Rugby is quite dynamic and things do happen," he said. "I feel sorry for Caleb, because there's no malice in it.
"He's genuinely trying to charge the ball down and here he is on the sidelines.
"It's a tough call and I'm not disagreeing with the call. There is a safety element there and the referee's hands were tied, but I'm not sure what to say to Caleb - I don't think it was reckless and it was just unfortunate."
Clarke isn't the first Blues player banned this season after a red card, with teammate Nepo Laulala currently serving a three-week suspension, after a high shoulder charge against Moana Pasifika last Tuesday.
Crusaders hooker Shilo Klein has also been handed a three-match suspension for his dangerous contact on Highlanders prop Ethan de Groot.
