Tongan forward Chris Hala’ufia was cited recently following a hit he made against Racing Metro in a Pool two match in the Heineken Cup. London Irish have decided to impose a six week ban after holding an internal disciplinary hearing.
Hala’ufia was only just back from a seven week ban for another high tackle earlier in the season when he put this hit in on Racing Metro fullback Gaetan Germain. As you can see in the clip, he went off injured with a sore hand/wrist too.
Irish have also imposed a sanction of an undisclosed fine which will be donated to a charity and they will review their rulings once the outcome of the ERC hearing is known.
The abbrasive 33 year old has now served four bans in the past two years. If found guilty by the ERC, which is likely to be the case, he will more than likely receive yet another hefty suspension.
He was cited for a contravention of Law 10.4(e), which states the following:
Law 10.4(e) – Dangerous tackling of an opponent including a tackle or an attempted tackle above the line of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders. Under the IRB Recommended Sanctions for Offences Committed within the Playing Enclosure, Law 10.4(e) carries the following penalties: Low End: 2 weeks; Mid Range: 6 weeks; Top End: 10+ to 52 weeks.
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