NSW Waratahs hooker Tolu Latu has been suspended from Super Rugby for six weeks after pleading guilty to dangerous play.
Latu fronted the three-man SANZAAR foul play review committee, which accepted his plea.
The 26-year-old, who has 11 Wallabies caps, was cited for diving into a ruck during their clash with the Sunwolves in Tokyo, resulting in flanker Ed Quirk being stretchered off the field with a knee injury.
The on-field referee missed the 79th-minute incident but the citing commissioner deemed it worthy of a red card.
The committee also deemed it a top-end offence, which carries a 10-week penalty, but reduced it given the time since Latu’s last offence – and his remorse.
“With respect to sanction, the Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a top-end entry point of 10 weeks due to the vulnerability of the victim, the gravity of the offence and the extent of the injury caused to the victim,” chairman Adam Casselden SC ruled.
“However, taking into account mitigating factors including Player’s expressed remorse, the fact his most recent Judicial offence was three years ago and the player’s guilty plea at the first available opportunity, the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension to six weeks.”
Latu is free to return on April 20.