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Chiefs No 8 Sione Lauaki has been suspended for two weeks while Auto & General Lions lock Willem Stoltz has been suspended for one week after both players were found guilty after being cited for foul play following Friday’s Vodacom Super 14 match between the teams at Coca-Cola Park. The Chiefs won the match 72-65.

The players appeared before SANZAR Judicial Committees which were chaired by Advocate Jannie Lubbe in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Lauaki was cited under Law 10.4 (j) for lifting Lions centre Deon van Rensburg in a tackle in the 13th minute of the first half and not lowering the player safely back to the ground. Lauaki received a yellow card from referee Marius Jonker for the offence.

The Chiefs No 8 pleaded guilty to the charge. His defence argued that the yellow card issued by the referee was sufficient punishment.

Advocate Lubbe, after considering all relevant facts and available video evidence on a balance of probabilities, deemed that the referee’s decision was wrong. As a result Lauaki was suspended from all forms of rugby from the 19 February – 6 March 2010.

Stoltz was cited under Law 10.4 (a) for striking Chiefs hooker Aled de Malmanche in the face area with his elbow in the 9th minute. Stoltz was penalised and warned by the referee.

The Auto & General Lions lock pleaded guilty to his charge. His defence also argued that the actions of the referee were sufficient punishment.

Advocate Lubbe, after viewing the available video evidence and after taking into account the relevant facts on a balance of probabilities ruled that the referee should have issued a sterner reprimand.  As a result Stoltz was suspended from all forms of rugby from the 19 February – 27 February.

Issued by SANZAR