Taione handed six-week ban

Banned: Epi Taione has been suspended for his 'grossly reckless' head-butt

Sharks forward Epi Taione has been banned for six weeks for head-butting during the South African side's 13-all draw with the Hurricanes in their Super 14 match in Wellington last Saturday.

In another SANZAR judiciary decision announced on Tuesday, Lions' prop Ross Geldenhuys was cleared of striking a Highlanders' player with his knee last Friday.

Both players appeared before SANZAR judicial officer Nicholas Davidson QC in separate hearings in Christchurch on Monday.

Taione had been shown the red card by match referee Paul Marks for intentionally using his head to strike Hurricanes' lock Jeremy Thrush during a maul.

Taione, represented by counsel Richard McIlraith and Sharks' coach Dick Muir, told the hearing he was clearing out Thrush who was impeding the rolling maul.

It was submitted his action was legitimate but too high in its execution.

Taione said he had no intention of striking Thrush on, and with, the head. As such, it was more properly categorised as a reckless act.

Davidson decided Taione's action was "grossly reckless" and suspended the player until May 19.