Tupai heads again to the judiciary

Bay of Plenty No 8 Paul Tupai is "shattered" after being cited to front the New Zealand Rugby Football Union's judiciary just two weeks after serving a four-week ban.

Tupai was cited for a dangerous tackle during last Saturday's NPC 33-21 first division loss to Waikato in Rotorua.

He is accused of a late and dangerous tackle on Waikato first five-eighth David Hill just minutes after he took the field as a replacement in the second half.

Tupai's hearing will be held in Wellington today. It is his third trip to the judiciary in two seasons.

Tupai, 28, will be joined at the judiciary by his Bay of Plenty teammate Thompson Tapsell, who faces an automatic hearing after being sent off while playing for the Bay of Plenty development side last Saturday for allegedly verbally abusing the referee.

Tupai yesterday said he was clearly now a target for referees and the NZRFU citing commissioners because of his poor disciplinary record.

"There were a few other incidents in the weekend in other games that I saw that were heaps worse than mine, yet we hear nothing," he said.

"People are looking out for me yet the ref [Lyndon Bray] was right there when this tackle was supposed to have happened and did nothing. I'm shattered by this."

Tupai was suspended for four weeks last month for a late elbow charge on Otago hooker Nick Fisher. The match against Waikato was his second game back.

He was handed a three-match ban last season for a dangerous tackle on Counties-Manukau centre Gus Leger.

In an effort to rectify his disciplinary problems, Tupai had two sessions with Bay of Plenty high performance manager Keith Roberts during his month off, focusing on self restraint and channelling his aggression.

"I play the game hard but Keith and I talked about maintaining discipline.

"The thing is I was looking forward to getting back on the field and playing good rugby.

"I even walked away from a couple of incidents on Saturday, but it still doesn't seem to be enough."

Bay of Plenty, who finished bottom of the first division, have a week off before meeting the winner of Saturday's second division final between Hawkes Bay and Counties Manukau in the promotion-relegation play-off.

- NZPA