Tuesday 08 April 2008
Taione hit with six-week ban

Sharks forward Epi Taione has been suspended for six weeks after headbutting Hurricanes’ Jeremy Thrush in Saturday’s Super 14 clash.

Taione was dismissed for lashing out at Thrush in a maul during the game which eventually finished in a 13-13 draw.

Judiciary officer Nicholas Davidson ruled Taione to be “grossly reckless” and, taking into account a suspension in 2004 for biting, suspended the Tonga international until May 19.

Lions forward Ross Geldenhuys was cleared of striking Highlanders player Jamie Mackintosh in the head with his knee after a scrum collapsed in their match in Dunedin on Friday.

Davidson said the video evidence did not clearly confirm the act was deliberate.

Back