Rugby: Emery out for three matches

Jason Emery.
Jason Emery.
Highlanders midfield back Jason Emery is gone for three games but the blow may be softened by the impending return of winger Waisake Naholo.

Emery was given a four-week suspension following a Sanzar judicial hearing after he was given a red card in last Friday night's game against the Sharks at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

Emery collided with Sharks fullback Willie Le Roux, who was flying through the air, in the 12th minute of the game.

Both players went down and left the field but Emery departed because he was given a red card for his actions by referee Ben O'Keefe.

Emery appeared at a hearing on Monday night and was given a four-week suspension.

He will miss only three games - against the Brumbies, Chiefs and Crusaders. The fourth week of the suspension is when the Highlanders have a bye.

The bye week is included in the suspension, as Emery would have been available for club play.

Highlanders assistant coach Scott McLeod said yesterday the Highlanders would not be appeal the suspension.

The loss of Emery for the bulk of Friday night's game was a real blow, alongside the four-week suspension, McLeod said.

‘‘The other punishment was an impaired performance from us and the result and a loss of competition points. That was the punishment that really hurt us the most,'' McLeod said.

Emery was initially given six weeks but got two weeks off because of his previous good record and showing remorse for his actions.

McLeod said there were options for replacing Emery, who was starting his first game of the season, with Rob Thompson and Tei Walden back in the mix.

McLeod said All Black winger Waisake Naholo was now back training but would not be risked for this weekend's game against the Brumbies in Invercargill.

Naholo looked to be moving freely at training yesterday.

Naholo is scheduled to play club rugby this weekend and, should he get through that, he will be available for the game against the Chiefs on May 7.

Hooker Liam Coltman injured his toe in the match on Friday night and did not train yesterday.

Scans had been done and the side was still waiting to determine how long Coltman would be unavailable. He would not play this weekend.

Meanwhile, the Crusaders have lost blockbusting winger Nemani Nadolo to a four-week suspension.

Nadolo was ruled to have carried out a lifting tackle on Brumbies halfback Tomas Cubelli at the end of the first half of the game in Canberra on Sunday.

Nadolo will miss games against the Reds, Highlanders and Waratahs. The Crusaders have the bye this weekend.

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