Mann-Rea escapes with one-week ban

Brumbies replacement hooker Josh Mann-Rea received a one-week suspension for repeatedly striking Stormers prop Oli Kebble in the face.

Mann-Rea was red-carded in the 63rd minute of the match at Newlands. During his judicial hearing the hooker pleaded guilty of contravening Law 10.4 (a) Punching or striking an opponent, and has been suspended from all forms of the game for one week, up to and including 27 March.

Judicial officer Chris Morris says after reviewing all the relevant materials, he formed the view that the offence had an entry point in the low-end range which starts at a two-week suspension, but reduced the sentence by 50%.

'I considered the incident and the submissions made by the players representatives. I did not consider there to be any aggravating factors to take into account. I did take the player admitting guilt for the offence into account as a mitigating factor. This entitles the player up to a 50% reduction in sanction, which I applied.'

Meanwhile, Sunwolves lock Timothy Bond was found guilty for contravening Law 10.4 (h) A player must not charge into a ruck or maul, after he flew into a ruck and made contact with the head of flanker Sean McMahon during the match against the Rebels in Tokyo on Saturday.

Photo: Stefan Postles/Getty Images

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