Liam Messam latest former All Black to receive ban after dangerous tackle
Former All Black Liam Messam has been banned for four weeks for a dangerous tackle.
The Toulon club plan to appeal Messam’s suspension – handed out one day after Messam’s former All Blacks teammate Jerome Kaino was banned by for five weeks for a shoulder charge on Welsh test centre Jamie Roberts while playing for Toulouse.
34-year-old Messam had been in good form for Toulon despite the team’s recent drop in play, but was red carded after an incident against Montpellier on October 7 when he hit centre Yvan Reilhac in a high tackle.
The 43-test All Black missed last weekend’s 26-25 Heineken Champions Cup defeat at the hands of the Newcastle Falcons and will not return to action until late November when Toulon visit Bordeaux-Begles.
??? Liam Messam écope de 4 semaines de suspension suite à son carton rouge lors de la rencontre RCT/MHR, malgré un casier vierge. Le RCT fait appel de cette décision. https://t.co/upnUw1Igwl
— RCT – RC Toulon (@RCTofficiel) October 18, 2018
Messam joined Toulon this year after one final campaign with the Chiefs, with whom he has played a club record 179 games with after making his debut in 2006.
Meanwhile, former Hurricanes and Waikato prop Loni Uhila has also been suspended after an incident in the Top 14. The Clermont front rower was given a five-week ban for a head high tackle against La Rochelle hooker and French international Pierre Bourgarit.
The 29-year-old should be cleared to play against Montpellier on December 1.
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