All Blacks captain Sam Cane will miss at least the first few games for his new team in Japan after being cited for his red card during the Rugby World Cup final.
He appeared before World Rugby’s judicial committee via Zoom after his shoulder made contact with Springboks centre Jesse Kriel in the 28th minute. Cane was originally sent off for a yellow card that was upgraded after it was deemed a red by the TMO match official Tom Foley.
Cane was handed a three game ban with World Rugby’s mandatory minimum mid-range entry point for foul play resulting in head contact set at six matches.
“Taking all considerations into account, including the player’s exemplary disciplinary record, his early acknowledgment of foul play and his clear remorse, the independent Committee determined mitigation of three matches was appropriate,” the independent Disciplinary Committee said.
Cane announced last week he is heading to the Tokyo Sungoliath for a short-term contract in Japan. He will miss games against Toshiba, Suntory and D-Rocks, however he intends to apply for a tackling school course which will reduce the ban to two games.