Tom Sanders in action. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES When is a suspension not a suspension? The Highlanders have been grappling with that question thanks to the strange case of Tom Sanders. His Highlanders career is on hold for now due to a rather unfortunate series of events. Sanders, the former Crusaders loose forward, is serving a suspension following an incident while playingfor Otago in the NPC lastyear. It went entirely unnoticed at the time but, following Otago’s last game, Sanders was cited by Counties-Manukau for an allegedly dangerous clear-out at a ruck. He was found guilty and handed a two-week ban. With Otago’s season over, it meant the Highlanders would have to cop being without their new loose forward for a couple of games. They were advised Sanders could not serve the suspension during their first two preseason games - one played over four quarters, the other three periods - so he would have to miss the final preseason game (against the Crusaders) and the opening round of Super Rugby. The Highlanders, perhaps not unreasonably, felt that meant Sanders could have a run-around in the first two preseason trials. However, they were told by New Zealand Rugby that he was not allowed to play. It effectively meant Sanders had copped a four-week ban in a case of double jeopardy. Sanders is not a front-line player but the Highlanders need all hands to the pump to start the season, and there was understandably some annoyance at how everything played out. "I’m not sure of the absolute ruling," Highlanders coach Clarke Dermody said this week. "I know we asked the question." New Zealand Rugby has been asked for comment.
