The Counties-Manukau lock Taiasina Tuifua has been suspended for one week for a dangerous high tackle on Auckland first five-eighth Matt Berquist during their national provincial rugby match at Pukekohe on Saturday.
Auckland won the match 37-13 and Tuifua was sinbinned for the tackle with just three minutes to play.
At a judicial hearing in Wellington, Tuifua accepted he was guilty of a dangerous tackle but argued the yellow card was a sufficient penalty.
The judicial officer Bruce Squire didn't accept the argument and imposed the suspension, which means Tuifua will miss Counties-Manukau's Ranfurly Shield challenge against Canterbury on Saturday.