Highlanders winger Tevita Nabura has been handed a six week suspension for his fly kick to the head of Waratahs winger Cam Clark.
Nabura was shown a red card in the 17th minute of the Waratahs' win over the Highlanders, having kicked out at Clark while catching a high ball.
Having delayed the review of the incident upon Nabura's request, the SANZAAR foul play review committee accepted his guilty plea for contravening Law 9.12, kicking.
The top end entry point of a 12 week suspension was downgraded, with the committee deeming the action a "misguided effort" rather than an intentional act of malice.
"Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles, and a statement from the player and submissions from his legal representative, Aaron Lloyd, the Foul Play Review Committee upheld the Red Card under Law 9.12 (physical abuse - kicking)," Nigel Hampton QC said.
"The player's action was seen by the Committee as a misguided effort by an inexperienced player to both try and regain balance whilst in the air and ward off the approaching opposing player.
"With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a top-end entry point of 12 weeks due to the contact with the opposition player's head.
"As it is required to do, the Committee assessed that, given the comparative lack of force of the actual contact to the head and the lack of any injury to the other player, the entry point should remain at 12 weeks.
"However, taking into account mitigating factors including the player's excellent record, his remorse, his inexperience and his guilty plea at the first available opportunity, the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension by 50% to a sanction of 6 weeks."
Nabura will next be eligible to play on July 7.
