The Western Force took a heavy blow with strike center Tevita Kuridrani erased from their historic UA Super Rugby preliminary final against the Brumbies on Saturday night.
Kuridrani was suspended for three games for a dangerous tackle against Hunter Paisami in the Force final, sealing the 30-27 victory over the Queensland Reds last Friday in Perth.
The former Wallabies center was among the Force’s best players, but received a yellow card for the second-minute attack.
The commissioner quoting saying that the tackle had in fact reached the threshold of the red card for foul play.
SANZAAR’s foul play review panel made up of chairman Adam Casselden, Mike Mika and Stefan Terblanche later found Kuridrani guilty via a videoconference hearing and banned the midfielder’s powerhouse for three games.
In her conclusion, Casselden noted that Kuridrani, who pleaded guilty, acted recklessly rather than intentionally in placing Paisami in a vulnerable position.
With Paisami uninjured and given Kuridrani’s relatively good legal record over a long career, the No.13 veteran has only been knocked out for three games instead of potential six or more games.
Former All Black Richard Kahui is likely to replace Kuridrani in the starting lineup as the Force seeks to continue its murderous run at GIO Stadium.
The Force made the playoffs of a Super Rugby competition for the first time in its 16-year history.
The winner of the Brumbies-Force match will face the Reds in the final on May 8 at Suncorp Stadium.
Melbourne forwards Isi Naisarani and Pone Fa’amausili were excluded for three games for high tackles, both on NSW lock Max Douglas in the Rebels’ 36-25 win over the Waratahs last Saturday night.
The pair will no longer be available until the Rebels’ fourth round Trans-Tasman Super Rugby face the Chiefs in Hamilton on June 5.
Australian Associated Press
