New Zealand will be without Andrew Hore for the weekend's Test match against England after the hooker was awarded a five-week ban.
Hore was involved in an altercation with Welshman Bradley Davies during the Test encounter last weekend, which led to the Welsh lock needing hospital treatment for severe concussion. However, it was found the Hore 'did not intend to make contact' with the head of Davies.
An IRB statement read: "The Judicial Officer held that the act of foul play was inherently dangerous, being a deliberate swinging of the arm, delivered with significant force, causing serious injury to the victim player, Bradley Davies, who was unsighted.
"However, the Judicial Officer found that the player had not intended to make contact with the victim player's head. In categorising the seriousness of the offence the Judicial Officer held that it was worthy of a top end entry point under the IRB's sanctions table, and that the entry point should be eight weeks.
"The Judicial Officer held that there were no aggravating factors, and acknowledged the mitigating factors of acceptance of guilt by the player, his genuine remorse, as evidenced by his daily contact with the injured player, his exemplary disciplinary record, and his conduct throughout the hearing and imposed a suspension of five weeks."
In addition to missing the final Autumn International match this weekend, Hore will be unavailable for Super 15 side Highlanders in their pre-season tour.
Matt Law
