Wait goes on for Nabura

Tevita Nabura just before the kick that saw him red-carded against the Waratahs. Photo: Getty...
Tevita Nabura just before the kick that saw him red-carded against the Waratahs. Photo: Getty Images
The wait goes on for Tevita Nabura.

Nabura was red-carded for an ugly raised leg which collided with the face of Waratahs winger Cameron Clark in the match last Saturday night.

All red cards are instantly referred to the Sanzaar foul play review committee and the winger was set down for a hearing on Sunday night.

However, that was delayed at the request of the player and nothing further has been coming from the Highlanders or Sanzaar about the incident. The hearing was set for Tuesday but did not happen.

Highlanders interim coach Mark Hammett said he could not comment but believed something could come from Sanzaar in the next 24 to 48 hours,

Nabura is back in New Zealand.

Although details about the delay are scant, it may have something to do how the ban - and it will be lengthy, given it involved the striking of a player's head - will be interpreted.

With the June international test window coming up, the Highlanders will not be in action for two weeks and will then play the French Barbarians in the final week.

Whether that time off will be included or left out of Nabura's ban may be considered by the foul play committee.

The banning of players has become farcical in recent times. A players could cop a two-week ban but one of those could be in a bye weekend. A club game, in which logically a Super Rugby player would not take part, all of a sudden became a vital game for the banned player and was included in the ban.

This practice has been clamped down on by Sanzaar but it will want to get the dates and matches right for Nabura's suspension.

He is likely to get a ban of at least six weeks which would have the big Fijian out for the rest of the regular season.

 

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