Highlanders prop Kane Hames has been suspended for five weeks after pleading guilty to striking Crusaders lock Dominic Bird in their Super Rugby game in Dunedin on Saturday.
Sanzar judicial officer Robert Stelzner says there were several aggravating factors in the 74th minute incident, but he took Hames's remorse and prompt guilty plea into account.
The Crusaders won the match 26-20.
Hames will miss the Highlanders' March 28 game against the Stormers in Dunedin, with the team sitting out the bye in the following round.
He will be eligible to return for the Highlanders' round nine return match against the Crusaders in Christchurch on April 11.
In another judicial decision, lock Hayden Triggs received a one-week suspension after he was sent off in the Blues' 27-16 loss to the Stormers in Cape Town.
Referee Craig Joubert showed Triggs the red card after he punched Stormers skipper Duane Vermeulen in the 24th minute.
Triggs will miss Friday's match against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein, but will be available for the Blues' March 7 game against the Lions in Auckland.
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