Rugby: Keats cops four week ban

Tyson Keats. Photo / Getty Images

Hurricanes halfback Tyson Keats was today suspended for four weeks for a dangerous tackle on Blues halfback Alby Mathewson in their Super 15 match on Friday night.

A Sanzar judicial hearing at the New Zealand Rugby Union offices in Wellington today heard that Keats, who had just come on to the field as a replacement, was yellow carded for the incident in the 67th minute of the match in Wellington, which was won by the Blues 17-11.

Keats lifted Mathewson in the air before dropping him on his neck.

Sanzar judicial officer Nick Davidson QC ruled that while Keats' actions were not premeditated, the tackle was poorly executed and reckless.

Davidson found the tackle carried a high degree of danger, but concluded Keats did not deliberately drive Mathewson into the ground.

In his ruling, Davidson reiterated that the International Rugby Board had called for vigilance in eliminating the tip tackle from the game as its danger was immense.

He added that such disciplinary recourse was necessary to act as a deterrent to players.

- NZPA