Japan captain and Chiefs loose forward Michael Leitch has been suspended from all rugby for one week for a dangerous tackle.
Michael Leitch. Photo: Photosport
Leitch was cited for the incident in the 77th minute of the Chiefs 28-16 win over the Hurricanes in their Super Rugby match on Friday in Hamilton.
Referee Brendon Pickerill yellow-carded Leitch for the hit on Hurricanes hooker Ricky Riccitelli but the Super Rugby citing commissioner deemed it met the red-card threshold for foul play.
The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee, chaired by Nigel Hampton QC, deemed the act of foul play merited a low end entry point of two weeks suspension.
"However, taking into account mitigating factors including the player's excellent judicial record and early guilty plea, the committee reduced the suspension to one week," he said.
"The player is therefore suspended for 1 week, up to and including Friday 17 March 2017."
Leitch will miss the Chiefs' match against the Rebels in Melbourne on Friday.
World Rugby has introduced new high-tackle laws, with Blues loose forward Steven Luatua earning a four-match ban for a high and late tackle on Tim Nanai-Williams in last week's 26-41 loss to the Chiefs in round two.
