Tasman lock Riki Hoeata has been suspended from rugby for three matches for a swinging arm incident in a round six national provincial championship match against Hawke's Bay on Tuesday.
Hoeata's act resulted in Hawke's Bay lock Brodie Retallick suffering a broken nose and facial injuries.
After considering video footage, and a number of statements and evidence, NZRU judicial officer Nick Davidson QC found that while Hoeata's swinging arm action should be classified as wreckless rather than intentionally targeting Retallick's head, it was delivered with considerable force and carried a real risk to the other player.
In considering sanctions, Davidson took into account Hoeata's clean record in senior representative rugby and his contrition and concern for a fellow player.
Hoeata has been suspended from all rugby up to and including 16 August, effectively ruling him out of his side's next three matches against Canterbury, Taranaki and Auckland.
