Lachie Swinton handed four-match suspension
Lachlan Swinton (centre) of the Wallabies is seen reacting after being sent off during the Tri-Nations rugby union match between the Australian Wallabies and the New Zealand All Blacks, at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Saturday, November 7, 2020. (AAP Image/Darren England) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY ** STRICTLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY, NO COMMERCIAL USE, NO BOOKS **
Australia back-row Lachie Swinton has been banned for four weeks after being sent off against New Zealand for connecting with the head of Sam Whitelock.
Swinton was red carded in the 35th minute of the Bledisloe Cup encounter on Saturday for leading with the shoulder and endangering his opponent.
The Wallabies went on to win the match and claim their first victory under new head coach Dave Rennie, providing a huge boost ahead of the rest of the Tri Nations.
Miss the Argentina games
However, they will have to play their final two games of the competition, both against Argentina, without Swinton.
A statement from SANZAAR read: “The SANZAAR foul play review committee has accepted a guilty plea from Lachlan Swinton of Australia for contravening Law 9.13: A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously, when he made high contact with New Zealand #5 Sam Whitelock during the match between Australia and New Zealand at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday 7 November 2020.
“Swinton has been suspended from all forms of the game for four weeks, up to and including Saturday 6 February 2021.”
Adam Casselden SC, the foul play review committee chairman, added: “The act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of six weeks. However, taking into account mitigating factors including the fact the player has pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity, the foul play review committee reduced the suspension to four weeks. The player was not entitled to a full 50% reduction due to the presence of two prior offences on his record.”