Australia Tour
Simmons hit with eight-week suspension
ESPN Staff
November 14, 2012
Australia lock Rob Simmons watches play, Australia v Wales, Rugby World Cup, Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand, October 21, 2011
Wallabies lock Rob Simmons has been ruled out of the rest of his side's tour © Getty Images
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Australia lock Rob Simmons has been handed an eight-week ban after being found guilty of a dangerous tackles during his side's defeat to France in Paris on Saturday.

Simmons appeared as a second half replacement in the Wallabies' humbling 33-6 loss at the Stade de France and was cited for a "tip" tackle on France flanker Yannick Nyanga.

International Rugby Board judicial officer Robert Williams decided that Simmons' offence was at the high end of the IRB's sanctions scale and suspended him until February 24. As a result he will miss Australia's clash with England on Saturday and the following clashes with Italy and Wales.

A statement released by the Six Nations read: "From the high end entry point of 12 weeks, the judicial officer added two weeks of aggravation to reflect the need for a deterrent for this type of dangerous tackle, but allowed the maximum six weeks of mitigation, including the player's exemplary previous disciplinary record and his conduct at the hearing.

"A sanction of eight weeks was duly imposed, with Rob Simmons suspended until midnight on 24 February 2013.

"The specific period of suspension recognises the close-season inactivity after the current tour when the player is not scheduled to play. The player has the right of appeal."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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