Reds player cops lengthy ban for grizzly head clash

Queensland Reds starting prop Sef Fa'agase has been handed a four-match ban for a grizzly head clash that left him dazed.

The incident occurred just shy of half-time in Brisbane against the Chiefs when he made head-to-head contact with loose forward Simon Parker.

Fa'agase was taken off for a head injury assessment (HIA) three minutes after the initial clash.

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The SANZAAR judicial committee delivered the verdict ahead of Super Rugby Pacific round four, suspending Fa'agase from all forms of the game up to and including April 12.

"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, Mark Martin KC, the Judicial Committee upheld the citing under Law 9.13," a SANZAAR statement read.

"Following the World Rugby Head Contact Process (HCP), the Committee assessed the player's actions as having directly contacted the head, at speed, with high force and without the required mitigating factors to warrant a reduction from a red card.

"The Judicial Committee thoroughly considered all factors of World Rugby's Head Contact Process and sanctioning table and concluded that the foul play warranted a mid-range entry point of 6 weeks.

"After taking into account mitigating factors such as the player's remorse, disciplinary history, and conduct throughout the hearing, the sanction was reduced to 4 weeks."

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It's almost exactly a year since Fa'agase was given a three-week ban for a dangerous tackle in their round four clash against the Fijian Drua.

The Reds will had to Melbourne for round four where they'll face the Rebels. Kick-off is at 7.35pm AEDT with coverage live, ad-free, and exclusively on Stan Sport.