Rugby: Chiefs prop suspended

The Super 14 rugby season is over for Chiefs prop Ben May after he was suspended this morning for three weeks for careless use of his feet against the Lions yesterday morning (NZ time).

A Sanzar judicial committee ruled that the offence was at the lower end of the scale but still deemed May had been careless where he placed his foot when it made contact with the head of Lions flanker Joe van Niekerk.

He is ruled out of this weekend's final-round match against the Sharks in Durban and will be unavailable if the seventh-placed Chiefs advance to the semifinals and final.

The judgement took into account that there was no malice, no intent to cause harm and the prop's unblemished record at first class rugby. He has never previously recieved a yellow card.

May was sent off for the offence and a try by his team was subsequently disallowed during their 27-33 loss at Johannesburg.

Chiefs management engaged the services of Wellington barrister Tim Castle to appear as counsel for May at the judicial hearing in Durban.

May will leave South Africa within the next two days.

- NZPA