Faingaa to miss one match

Mon, May 28, 2018, 10:27 PM
Beth Newman
by Beth Newman
Faingaa head butts Bulls player Matthys Basson in the 63rd minute of the Brumbies’ 38-28 win in Pretoria.

The Brumbies will be looking for another hooker this week, with Folau Faingaa to miss a match for a head butt.

Faingaa was red-carded in the 62nd minute of the Brumbies' win over the Bulls in Pretoria for head butting an opponent, and was on Monday night handed a one-match ban.

SANZAAR's judicial review committee determined the entry point for the incident was a four-week suspension, given the lack of force and provocation from Bulls players.

They reduced that suspension down to two match, due to Faingaa's early plea, good disciplinary record and his 'youth and inexperience', and then back to one with the committee deeming two weeks was disproportionate for the offence.

 

Just saying hi?🤦🏽‍♂️#BULvBRU #SuperRugby

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Faingaa, who has been in superb form for the Brumbies, will still be available for selection in the Wallabies' June Series, should Michael Cheika pick him.

Though that is a positive, the Brumbies could be scrambling for hookers this week, with news of Faingaa's suspension.

Robbie Abel was a late withdrawal in the Brumbies' first South Africa tour game against the Lions with a calf injury, and veteran rake Josh Mann-Rea has also been ruled out for most of the season with a hamstring injury.

Rookie Connal McInerney stepped into the 23, on a short-term injury contract, deputising for Faingaa in Pretoria.

Whether Abel will be fit this weekend is unclear, but the Brumbies will certainly be on the hunt for more hooking depth in their final game before the June Series.

The Brumbies take on the Sunwolves in Canberra on Sunday, kicking off at 4:05pm AEST, LIVE on FOX SPORTS and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO. The Brumbies are looking for 15,000 people to attend the match, with the club to donate $15,000 to Lifeline should they hit their target.

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