Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph is disappointed but outwardly philosophical about the five-week ban slapped on prop Kane Hames as his depleted squad prepares for Friday's Super Rugby match against the Queensland Reds in Dunedin.
Hames was given the penalty for striking Crusaders lock Dominic Bird during the Highlanders' 20-26 loss at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
"Kane was in the wrong, you can't do that in footy," Joseph said.
"Five weeks might seem severe but that's the lesson we have to learn.
"We really need a player like him. He was one of our best last year but, when things like that happen, the whole team suffers. We have to learn from that and be the better for it."
He was surprised that Crusaders prop Owen Franks received only a two-week ban for striking front-rower Josh Hohneck at a ruck.
"When I saw it I thought it would be more than two weeks. But we won't be appealing the sentence and we will move on," he said.
Joseph has more than Hames's ban on his mind after what he described as "a disrupted preparation" this week.
Playmaker and goal-kicker Lima Sopoaga will miss the match because of the illness of his father, and midfielder Shaun Treeby, winger Richard Buckman, flanker Shane Christie and prop Pingi Tala'Apitaga are also unavailable.
Nasi Manu is recovering from food poisoning but the No.8 will play, and prop Ross Geldenhuys has had limited preparation after his wife gave birth.
"Queensland have some class players, the likes of Will Genia, and they will be a test after their solid (18-6) win over the Force last week."
The Highlanders will also come up against former teammate Adam Thomson, who played 68 matches for the franchise between 2006 and 2012.
"I understand Thommo had a really good game last week and no doubt he will be a bit of a pain for us on Friday night," Joseph said.
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