Highlanders first-five Sam Gilbert will miss the rest of the Super Rugby Pacific season, after copping a five-week ban for his horror tackle on NSW Waratahs captain Michael Hooper.
Gilbert was shown a red card in the 28th minute for lifting Hooper off the ground and dropping him on his head, and could have been suspended for up to 10 weeks by SANZAAR.
"Taking into account mitigating factors, including the player's clean judicial record, his acceptance of foul play, the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension to five weeks," ruled committee chairman Michael Heron QC.
"The player is therefore suspended for five weeks, up to and including June 25, 2022."
The Highlanders lost the fixture, but can still make the playoffs, if they beat Melbourne Rebels or Western Force lose to the Hurricanes this weekend.
Hooper called for Gilbert to be banned after the game and expressed his disappointment at being on the receiving end of the tip-tackle.
“I don’t wish that on anyone," Hooper told Sky Sport. “These things happen in this game, but I was disappointed that it happened to me.
"He should miss some weeks, I think.”
Join us at 4pm Sunday for live updates of the Highlanders v Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby Pacific clash
