Parkinson suspended, out for 3 games

Bay of Plenty loose forward Matua Parkinson has been suspended from all rugby until September 25 following a dangerous tackle, ruling him out of the next three NPC matches.

He will miss Saturday's game against Wellington and the next two matches against North Harbour and Southland.

Parkinson was cited by the New Zealand Rugby Union's citing commissioner Steve Hinds for striking Auckland hooker John Fonokalafi with a swinging arm from behind in their match last Sunday.

In his report to the union's judicial committee, who suspended Parkinson today following a hearing in Wellington, match referee Lyndon Bray indicated his view was partially obscured by Parkinson and did not see the swinging arm and so took no action.

Parkinson denied the charge.

The committee however found that as Fonokalafi went to play the ball at a breakdown, Parkinson ran in from some distance and, in an attempt to tackle his opponent, made contact with Fonokalafi's neck area with a swinging arm.

This resulted in Fonokalafi's head jerking backwards and then forward, clashing with his halfback Charles Hubbard. As a result, Fonokalafi suffered a fracture to his left eye socket.

The committee assessed the seriousness of Parkinson's offence as mid-range on the International Rugby Board's schedule of penalties.

It also noted the use of swinging arm, Fonokalafi's vulnerability and subsequent injury, and felt there was a need to discourage such a type of tackle.

Parkinson had a clean and the committee said it was "impressed by the mitigating factors that were advanced on behalf of the player".

The committee comprised Brian Coomber, Graham Williams and Tim Gresson as chairman.

- NZPA