All Blacks midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown will miss the Rugby Championship, after copping a three-week ban for a high tackle in the Super Rugby Pacific final.
Lienert-Brown was yellow-carded, after clashing heads with Crusaders counterpart Dallas McLeod during the first half at Hamilton, but was spared a red, after TV officials deemed mitigating circumstances, with McLeod dipping into contact.
McLeod failed his concussion check and did not return to the game.
Afterwards, SANZAAR cited Lienert-Brown for a dangrous tackle, claiming the incident met the threshold for a red card, and the judiciary has now imposed a suspension that will see him unavailable for the national team up to and including July 29.
The All Blacks are scheduled to face Argentina on July 9, South Africa on July 15 and Australia on July 29 in Rugby Champion fixtures.
"Having conducted a detailed review of all the evidence, including all camera angles and additional evidence, including from the player and submissions from his legal representative, the foul play review committee upheld the citing under Law 9.13," said SANZAAR.
"With respect to sanction, the foul play review committee held the act of foul play was reckless, with direct head-to-head contact made, high force and no significant mitigating factors present.
"The FPRC found the incident was dangerous and, after considering the relevant factors, decided the foul play merited a mid-range entry point of six weeks. Taking into account mitigating factors, including the player's exemplary record and guilty plea, the foul play review committee reduced the suspension by three weeks."
The penalty severely impacts Lienert-Brown's ability to push for All Blacks selection at the Rugby World Cup, with only a Bledisloe Cup clash against Australia (August 5) available, before the tournament squad is named.
He had missed most of the Chiefs' Super Rugby Pacific run with an ankle injury, after missing much of the All Blacks' 2022 campaign with a shoulder injury.
Ironically, his absence from the Rugby Championship opens up an opportunity for McLeod, who has been selected for a possible debut against the southern hemisphere rivals.
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