Hobbs gets first off-field yellow card

Blues fly-half Michael Hobbs has been issued with the Super Rugby's first off-field yellow card for a dangerous tackle.

Blues fly-half Michael Hobbs has been issued with the Super Rugby's first off-field yellow card for a dangerous tackle in the opening match against the Crusaders.

Hobbs was penalised 28 minutes into the game in Auckland on Friday, narrowly won by the Crusaders, for the high tackle on Crusaders midfielder Ryan Crotty.

However, under new disciplinary rules being trialled this year, the citing commissioner can issue an off-field yellow card for incidents considered close to, but which in his opinion do not meet the threshold for a red card.

Although Hobbs' tackle was dealt with by the referee at the time, on further review of the match footage the commissioner deemed an off-field yellow card was appropriate.