Hurricanes captain Ardie Savea faces a potential suspension after being cited for his throat-slitting gesture in their Super Rugby Pacific win over the Melbourne Rebels on Friday.
The All Blacks No.8 will front the SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee on Monday after he allegedly contravened Law 9.27 regarding good sportsmanship.
His action towards Rebels halfback Ryan Louwrens after he was sent to the sin bin was deemed to have met the red card threshold for foul play.
He could face a ban from two weeks, depending on the entry point that the Foul Play Review Committee decides.
Savea apologised immediately after the game and offered no excuses for his actions.
"I can understand the fans are furious around the gesture that I made," he told Sky Sport post-match. "It's just a heat of the moment kinda thing. It's footy.
"Kids are watching us, we're in the heat of the moment. Usually, that's out of character for me, so I put my hand up first and I apologise for that.
"I'm just glad to get the win. The Rebels brought it tonight. Credit to them. They were physical with their forward pack, so something for us to look in the mirror [at]."
Savea's outburst seems to have stemmed from the innocuous yellow card he received for "escalating" a scuffle.
He explained to the referee he was attempting to defuse the situation but was forced to spend 10 minutes on the sideline instead.
"Just normal banter in the game, and for me, to get a yellow card for a push and shove - I guess that's just the way rugby is going," he said.
"I've got to be better, we're trying to clean up the game, and I understand and there's just no excuse from me, I've got to be better."
