Super Rugby Pacific: Crusaders captain Scott Barrett one of three New Zealanders suspended for foul play

SANZAAR’s judiciary have come down hard on New Zealand’s Super Rugby Pacific teams with Crusaders skipper and second-row Scott Barrett, Hurricanes hooker Asafo Aumua and Highlanders lock Josh Dickson all receiving suspensions for foul play.

Barrett was suspended for four weeks after he received a red card for a dangerous hit on Alex Hodgman early in the second half during the Crusaders‘ narrow loss to the Blues in Christchurch on Friday.

After receiving a suspension for a similar offence during an All Blacks v Wallabies game in Perth in 2019, he could not receive the usual discount on mid-range offences, suspended for four matches.

“Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles and additional evidence, including from the player and submissions from his legal representative, Aaron Lloyd, the Foul Play Review Committee upheld the Red Card under Law 9.13,” SANZAAR said in a statement.

“With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of 6 weeks due to the World Rugby instructions that dictate any incident of foul play involving contact with the head must start at a mid-range level.

“Taking into account mitigating factors including the Player’s acceptance of foul play, his expressed remorse and pleading guilty at the first available opportunity, the Judicial Committee reduced the suspension to 4 weeks. The Player was not entitled to the full 50% reduction due to a prior similar offence.

“The player is therefore suspended for 4 weeks, up to and including 13 May 2022.”

That means Barrett will be sidelined for the Crusaders’ entire Super Rugby Pacific tour of Australia. He will miss their encounter against the