Taione appeal dismissed

A SANZAR Appeal Committee has dismissed an appeal by the Sharks against a six-week suspension given to Epi Taione.

A SANZAR Appeal Committee has dismissed an appeal by the Sharks against a six-week suspension given to Epi Taione.

Taione was given the suspension by SANZAR for a head strike in the Super 14 match between the Hurricanes and the Sharks in Wellington on Saturday April 5.

A SANZAR Appeal Committee hearing took place by teleconference on Thursday.

The Sharks had submitted in their appeal that the six-week suspension was too harsh, that Taione should have been charged with dangerous charging which carried a lower entry point for sanction, and that the act was not intentional.

After weighing up all the evidence and submissions, the Committee found that the initial decision was correct. As a result the six-week suspension stands and the appeal was dismissed.