Laurie banned for three weeks

Laurie Weeks has been suspended for three weeks for punching Jannie du Plessis at Kings Park on Friday.

Sanzar duty judicial officer Adam Casselden accepted a guilty plea from the prop for contravening Law 10.4 (a) Punching or striking.

'I considered all the evidence, including video footage leading up to the incident and issuing of the red card, match official reports for the incident and the submissions of Mr Tim North which he made on behalf of the player.

'I found the incident to have a mid-range entry point which stipulates a five-week suspension. This was then reduced by two weeks due to Weeks' prompt admission of guilt, remorse for his actions and excellent disciplinary record.

'The applicable entry point for determining the seriousness of the offence was determined by the excessive overreaction by the player when compared to the act that initially provoked him to commit the offence.

'Looking at the player's schedule, the Rebels have two weeks of Super Rugby remaining before the end of the season and they are unable to make the play-offs. I received formal notification from the Rebels and the player's club team in Melbourne, Southern Districts, that he was scheduled to play the following week. After taking all these factors into consideration, I found that a suspension of three weeks was warranted for the offence which was accepted by the player.'

Weeks has been banned from all forms of the game for three weeks up to and including 20 June.

VIDEO: Weeks punches Du Plessis

Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images

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