i agree, donalds been terrible this year and its cost the chiefs 1, possibly 2, games..
Hurricanes winger Ma'a Nonu has been suspended for a week by a Sanzar judiciary following a dangerous tackle against the Highlanders in Friday's Super 14 rugby match, but his team-mate Jerry Collins has escaped suspension for an incident in the same match.
Nonu was yellow-carded for a high tackle on Clint Newland in the Hurricanes' 10-6 win at Carisbrook, while Collins was later cited for his part in an incident on the ground with Highlanders hooker David hall.
Both Nonu and Collins faced the judiciary at the New Zealand Rugby Union headquarters in Wellington on Monday night.
Collins was found not guilty on charges of punching, striking and foul play. He was, though, found guilty of unsportsmanlike behaviour, but the penalty has not caused him to miss a game
Nonu's suspension means he will miss the match against the Brumbies in Canberra on Friday.
"I regret the incident," Nonu told media after his hearing. "I let myself and the team down and I now need to focus on getting back in the Hurricanes side after the suspension."
Nonu accepted that the tackle was dangerous and in breach of the law under which he was cited but claimed that the tackle warranted a minimal penalty only.
Mr Squire considered a range of matters and suspended him for one week, which means Nonu will miss Friday's match against the Brumbies in Canberra.
Collins also appeared on a charge of striking an opponent. The judiciary felt Collins' offence "was very much in the least serious category of foul play on the rugby field" and decided that the guilty finding was sufficient penalty for the All Black flanker.
He was found guilty of an act contrary to good sportsmanship - rolling his forearm across the face of Highlanders' David Hall after a tackle in the 67th minute.
No injury of any consequence was suffered by Hall and although Collins claimed he was acting in self defence, Mr Squire did not accept it.
The judiciary found that Collins had not punched or struck Hall but was satisfied that what he did was an act contrary to good sportsmanship.
Having regard to a number of matters put before him concerning Collins' role as a leading player in the Hurricanes and his other rugby community activities, Mr Squire considered that the guilty finding of foul play was sufficient penalty.
Both players appeared separately and were represented by lawyer Tim Castle, Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper and manager Tony Ward.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4434576a1823.html
