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Timani hit with four-week ban for kicking

Rebels and Australia number eight Lopeti Timani

Lopeti Timani has been banned for four weeks after kicking Rory Arnold in the head during Rebels’ 19-17 Super Rugby win over Brumbies on Saturday.

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The back row was shown a yellow card following the incident in the first half of the Melbourne side’s first victory of the season.

Timani was cited and accepted a guilty plea, so the beleaguered Rebels will be without the Australia number eight for a month.

Foul Play Review Committee chairman Nigel Hampton QC ruled: “Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles and additional evidence, including from the player and submissions from his legal representative, Michele Williams, the Foul Play Review Committee amended the citing to Law 10.4(m) Any other acts (not previously referred to) which are contrary to good sportsmanship.

“With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play, which involved an intentional, but glancing, strike to an opponent’s head by the Player’s leg, merited a mid-range entry point of eight weeks.

“However, taking into account mitigating factors including the player’s excellent Judicial record, his on-field apology to the opposing player, his remorse and his early guilty plea, the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension to four weeks.

“The player is therefore suspended for four weeks, up to and including Saturday 13 May 2017.”

Timani will miss the clashes with Sharks, Southern Kings, Lions and Reds.

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Nickers 37 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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