Sanzar has dismissed Henry Speight's appeal to have his five-week suspension overturned.

An Appeals Committee, chaired by New Zealander's Nigel Hampton and comprising Lex Mpati from South Africa and Terry Willis from Australian unanimously dismissed the appeal brought by the Brumbies against the decision that found Speight had contravened Law 10.4 (j) – Lifting Tackle.

The committee based their decision on the fact the appellant was unable to show that judicial officer Robert Stelzner's initial findings, were in error.

The committee also dismissed the appeal brought against the five-week suspension imposed on Speight, finding Stelzner had not erred in principle and that the sanction was not excessive.

Speight remains banned from all forms of the game up to and including Saturday, 25 July.

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