Taione appeal dismissed
NZPA
April 17, 2008

Sharks player Epi Taione's appeal against a six-week ban for headbutting in a Super 14 rugby match has been rejected by the Sanzar's appeal committee.

Taione was given the suspension by Sanzar judicial officer Nicholas Davidson QC for a head strike in the match between the Hurricanes and the Sharks in Wellington on April 5.

Committee chairman Chris Morris, of New Zealand, said the Sharks submitted today that the six-week suspension was too harsh; that Taione should have been charged with dangerous charging which carried a lower entry point for sanction; and that the act was not intentional.

The committee, which included Janne Lubbe SC of South Africa and Dennis Wheelahann QC of Australia, found that Davidson was correct in his judgement regarding the charge and in his subsequent finding.

As a result the six-week suspension stood and the appeal was dismissed.

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