NPC: Bans for McGougan and Nemani

Waikato prop James McGougan has been suspended for one week and Bay of Plenty wing Tino Nemani suspended for two weeks, after separate judicial hearings for foul play during Week Six of the NPC.

Both cases were heard by judicial officer Nigel Hampton this week.

McGougan was reported by citing commissioner Mike O'Leary under law 10.4 (g) for a dangerous charge on Otago's Lee Allan in the 60th minute of their match at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin last Sunday.

McGougan's no-arms tackle resulted in Allan going off injured for the remainder of the match.

Hampton said that while careless, McGougan's charge was not intentional. He also took into account McGougan's good record in 11 years.

McGougan's suspension means he is banned from playing up to and including Monday, September 29.

He will miss Waikato's match against Manawatu on Saturday, September 27.

Meanwhile Nemani was suspended for two weeks after he was sent off and later charged under law 10.4 (g) for a dangerous charge in the 77th minute of his team's Ranfurly Shield challenge against Hawke's Bay at McLean Park last Saturday.

Hampton accepted Nemani's action was not deliberate or intentional and that, fortunately, the tackle did not affect the Hawke's Bay player.

He also noted Nemani's remorse and full acceptance of the part he played in the tackle.

Nemani is suspended to and including next Sunday, October 5.

He is next available for Bay of Plenty's Week Nine match against Waikato at Waikato Stadium on Thursday, October 9.