Peni handed three-match ban for high tackle in Moana Pasifika's win over Brumbies

Moana Pasifika midfielder Peni has been handed a three-match suspension following his high tackle on Brumbies winger Andy Muirhead during the Round 16 Super Rugby Pacific fixture at GIO Stadium, Canberra.

Peni had already received one yellow card before the incident in the 63rd minute, when he made head-on-head contact with Muirhead after Tom Wright played an inside ball to the winger during a Brumbies line break. The second yellow card triggered an automatic upgrade to a 20-minute red card under the competition’s double-jeopardy rule, leaving Moana Pasifika with 12 men for the final quarter of the match.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Moana Pasifika held on to secure their second win of the season.

The Foul Play Review Committee (FPRC) ruled Peni guilty of a high tackle in contravention of Law 9.13, setting an initial mid-range entry point of six weeks. That sanction was reduced by fifty per cent in light of Peni’s acceptance of guilt, his disciplinary record, and his remorse, bringing the final ban to three matches. The FPRC also granted Peni permission to participate in World Rugby’s Coaching Intervention Programme as a substitute for the final match of the sanction.

With Moana Pasifika eliminated from Super Rugby Pacific in 11th place, the 26-year-old Samoan international will serve his suspension in Auckland club rugby. The three matches he will miss are Grammar Tech v Ponsonby on 6 June, Suburbs v Ponsonby on 13 June, and Ponsonby v College Rifles on 20 June.