Quade Cooper has been suspended for three weeks, over a high tackle that saw him red-carded against the Lions.
Cooper’s dangerous tackle came in the 47th minute of Queensland’s 44-14 loss to the Lions in Johannesburg.
The SANZAAR judiciary deemed the offence to have an entry-point of six weeks, but with Cooper’s relatively clean record and remorse, his punishment was reduced to three.
Though he is one of the most sin-binned Wallabies of all time, Cooper has not had to front a SANZAAR disciplinary hearing since 2012, a record that worked in his favour.
Cooper will miss the Reds’ matches against the Jaguares, Hurricanes and the Brumbies, returning for Queensland’s match with the Kings on April 15.
The news is a major blow for the Reds, who have already lost skipper James Slipper for the rest of the season with an Achilles injury.
A SANZAAR statement detailed the decision after Tuesday’s hearing.
"With respect to sanction the Judicial Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of six weeks.
“However, taking into account mitigating factors including the player's admission of guilt, his remorse and the fact that the player had a good disciplinary record having not come under notice since 2012, the Judicial Committee reduced the suspension to three weeks."
"The Player is therefore suspended for three weeks, up to and including Saturday 8 April 2017.”
Last year's starting No.10 Jake McIntyre will likely step into the starting flyhalf spot for the Reds’ clash in Buenos Aires.
The Reds take on the Jaguares on Sunday morning, kicking off at 8am AEDT, LIVE on FOX SPORTS.
