12 May 2012

Haskell gets another week's suspension for punch

6:12 am on 12 May 2012

The Highlanders flanker James Haskell has had his three-week ban for punching Cheetahs player Justin Downey extended to four weeks because of a previous ban in England four years ago.

The England international was found guilty of striking Downey during the Highlanders win in Bloemfontein last month.

In its original ruling the SANZAR judiciary reduced the penalty to three weeks from a starting point of six weeks taking into account Haskell's guilty plea, remorse, and record of no previous citings in over 10 years of professional rugby.

However, it has since been revealed Haskell received a one-week suspension in 2008 for his involvement in a head-butt incident in England when playing for Wasps against Worcester.

Haskell was due to return to the Highlanders for their match against the Blues on May 26th but will not now be available until they play the Crusaders on June 1st.