Sunwolves winger Semisi Masirewa won't play again this Super Rugby season, suspended for a spear tackle on Waratahs flyhalf Bernard Foley.
Masirewa was red-carded in the 39th minute of the Sunwolves' loss to the Waratahs on Saturday night for the incident, a penalty that divided pundits.
The card changed the game, with the Waratahs piling on 53 second-half points to secure their highest Super Rugby score ever and a bonus-point win.
Both coaches said post-match they would back a report system over red cards in rugby, with red cards having too great an impact on matches.
SANZAAR's judicial committee deemed the incident serious enough to suspend Masirewa for three weeks, the panel announced on Sunday night.
With an initial entry point of six weeks, Masirewa's suspension was reduced because of his good record and remorse.
"With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a low-end entry point of 6 weeks," committee chairman Nigel Hampton said in a statement.
"However, taking into account mitigating factors including the Player's good judicial record, his immediate and repeated apology to the other player, his remorse and his guilty plea at the earliest possible convenience, the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension to 3 weeks."
