Italian lock gets four-match suspension for headbutting Cam Roigard
Italy lock forward Niccolo Cannone was on Tuesday banned for four matches after receiving a red card against New Zealand last weekend, meaning he will miss the Nations Championship clash with Australia.
Cannone head-butted All Blacks halfback Cam Roigard in the second half of the test in Wellington on Saturday.
He was given a yellow card which was upgraded to red on review and led to the Italians playing with 14 men for 20 minutes of the match which they lost 47-17.
The Foul Play Review Committee (FPRC) found Cannone guilty of physical abuse, a Nations Championship statement said on Tuesday.
“The dangerous play, for which Cannone received a red card ... merited a low-end entry point [ban] of six weeks/matches,” the statement said.
“In light of Cannone’s acceptance that he committed an act of foul play worthy of ordering off, as well as mitigating factors such as his disciplinary record, conduct, and remorse, the FPRC applied a two-week reduction to the sanction.
“Cannone has been suspended from all forms of the game for four weeks.”
In the Herald’s player ratings, Cannone scored 1/10. Journalist Sam Sherry said he “was rightly sent off for a headbutt on Cam Roigard. Carried the ball fairly well but really let his side down with his ridiculous action”.
His suspension means the locking regular will miss Saturday’s Nations Championship test against Australia in Perth and three matches for his Italian club, Benetton Rugby, when the new season begins in September.
Australia were beaten by France last week, with the visitors overcoming a nine-point halftime deficit to triumph 42-26 in a pulsating clash in Brisbane.
– AFP
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