Blues halfback Taniela Moa has been stood down from the Super 14 match against the Lions this weekend as part of his misconduct process.
Moa was involved in an incident, where a bottle was thrown, at a rugby club in Auckland on March 28, and the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) has started a misconduct process.
Moa and Blues management had agreed he would be stood down for the Friday match, NZRU general manager professional rugby Neil Sorensen said today.
"He has accepted that, given the circumstances, it would not be appropriate for him to be playing while he is still going through the misconduct process." Moa's misconduct hearing is scheduled to take place next week.
The one-match stand down would be taken into account in any outcomes from the misconduct process, Sorensen said.
The potential penalties for misconduct, can include a formal warning, a fine, suspension from playing and/or termination of a player's contract.
Chris Smylie will start at halfback.
Blues: Paul Williams, Joe Rokocoko/Rene Ranger, Anthony Tuitavake, Isaia Toeava, Rudi Wulf, Tasesa Lavea, Chris Smylie, Jerome Kaino, Josh Blackie, Chris Lowrey, Anthony Boric, Kurtis Haiu, John Afoa, Keven Mealamu (captain), Charlie Faumuina.
Reserves - Tom McCartney, Tevita Mailau, Jay Williams, Peter Saili, Grayson Hart, Michael Hobbs, Jimmy Gopperth/Ranger.
