Aviva Premiership
Hala'ufia cops eight weeks
ESPNscrum Staff
February 8, 2011
London Irish's Chris Hala'ufia is tackled by Northampton's Brett Sharman, Northampton Saints v London Irish, Aviva Premiership, Franklin's Gardens, Northampton, England, November 26, 2010
Chris Hala'ufia has been banned for eight weeks © Getty Images
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London Irish No.8 Chris Hala'ufia has been banned for eight weeks after being found guilty of a dangerous tackle on Shane Geraghty during the Exiles' Anglo-Welsh Cup clash with Northampton on January 29.

Hala'ufia pleaded guilty before an RFU disciplinary panel and was suspended until April 5. Panel chair Jeremy Summers said: "This was a cynical and deliberate act of foul play aimed at taking out an opponent, with the player making no attempt to execute a lawful tackle or to intercept the pass.

"Expert medical opinion has clearly identified the risk of serious injury arising from offending of this kind. Because of that risk, an IRB memorandum of January 21, made clear that tackles above the shoulder must be dealt with severely.

"This sanction reflects that direction. The player's poor previous disciplinary record was also taken into consideration."

Hala'ufia, who will miss six Aviva Premiership matches for Irish, received a four-week ban in January last year for striking Leinster lock Leo Cullen in a Heineken Cup match and in April 2010 he was also banned for three weeks for a dangerous tackle on Wasps fly-half Dave Walder.

Meanwhile, the dismissal of Leicester's Rob Hawkins for receiving two yellow cards for foul play during the Tigers' loss to Bath on February 4 was deemed sufficient punishment and he can continue playing.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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