All Blacks star Anton Lienert-Brown could return for the first Bledisloe Cup Test against the Wallabies in Melbourne despite being slapped with a three week ban for a dangerous tackle.
The Chiefs centre was given a yellow card by referee Ben O'Keeffe in Saturday's Super Rugby Pacific final after a nasty head clash with Crusaders winger Dallas McLeod.
Television match official Brendon Pickerill then deemed the yellow would suffice and Lienert-Brown was allowed to return to the field in Hamilton.
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A bloodied McLeod failed his head injury assessment and was not able to return as the Crusaders won a seventh straight title under coach Scott Robertson.
But SANZAAR disagreed with the match officials and its foul play review committee announced the three week suspension on Tuesday.
"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 FPRC upheld the citing," SANZAAR's statement read.
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"With respect to sanction, the FPRC held the act of foul play was reckless, with direct head-to-head contact made, high force and no significant mitigating factors present.
"The FPRC found the incident was dangerous and, after considering the relevant factors, decided the foul play merited a mid-range entry point of six weeks.
"Taking into account mitigating factors, including the player's exemplary record and guilty plea, the FPRC reduced the suspension by three weeks."
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That means the 60 Test veteran will definitely miss New Zealand's first two Rugby Championship Tests against Argentina on July 9 (AEST) and South Africa on July 15.
However, a new World Rugby initiative means Lienert-Brown could return against Australia at the MCG on July 29 if he completes a 'coaching intervention programme,' which can reduce suspensions by a week.
Jordie Barrett and Rieko Ioane are Ian Foster's leading midfield options while McLeod and Brayden Ennor are also in the All Blacks squad.
https://twitter.com/StanSportRugby/status/1673141527306989571?s=20
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