Ma'a Nonu high tackle on Clint Newland - banned for one week

This past weekend, we once again saw the back of Hurricanes wing Ma’a Nonu after he was dismissed from the field for putting in a dangerous tackle on Highlanders front rower Clint Newland.

Newland himself is no stranger to controversy, after he was banned for 10 weeks for punching Neemia Tialata in the 2007 Air New Zealand Cup.

This weekend’s dirty play is overshadowing the great rugby that was on show, and believe me, there was some great rugby, as you’ll see in the upcoming Pick of the Week in the next couple of days.

Ma’a Nonu’s swinging arm-strangle-wrestle (choose which you prefer) has meant that he’s since been cited and suspended for one match by the SANZAR judiciary, therefore missing his teams upcoming clash with the Brumbies.

At first this tackle looked like nothing, but if you watch it closely you’ll see the forearm connecting with Newland’s face. Foolish stuff from a player who should be doing everything he can to fix up his reputation.