Broadhurst cited for ugly knee

Hurricanes lock James Broadhurst has been cited for an act of foul play during his team's 30-23 Super Rugby win over the Blues on Friday.

Broadhurst is charged with having contravened 10.4 (a): Punching or striking.

It follows an incident which occurred in the 61st minute of the match between the Hurricanes and Blues in Palmerston North.

He dropped his knee into the face of Blues captain Luke Braid, who was forced to leave the field as a result of the injury he sustained in the act of thuggery.

Upon review of the match footage, the citing commissioner deemed - in his opinion - the incident to have met the red card threshold for foul play.

The citing is to be considered in the first instance by SANZAR judicial officer Robert Stelzner.

All SANZAR disciplinary matters are in the first instance referred to a Duty Judicial Officer hearing to provide the option of expediting the judicial process.

For a matter to be dispensed with at this hearing, the person appearing must plead guilty and accept the penalty offered by the judicial officer.