Hames gets five-week ban for punch

Highlanders replacement Kane Hames has been slapped with a five-week ban for punching.

This followed an incident in the 74th minute of his team's 20-26 Super Rugby loss to the Crusaders in Dunedin at the weekend.

SANZAR judicial officer Robert Stelzner accepted a guilty plea from Hames - for contravening Law 10.4 (a): Punching or striking.

Hames was cited, following the Super Rugby match at the weekend.  

The Highlanders player has been suspended from all forms of the game for five weeks, up to and including March 28.

In his finding, Stelzner considered all the evidence - including video footage, the citing commissioner's report, a photograph and medical report of the injury sustained by Dominic Bird, as well as submissions of Aaron Lloyd made on behalf of the player.

"After taking all relevant facts of the incident into consideration, I found the incident to have a mid-range entry point which stipulates a five week suspension," Stelzner said.

"Several aggravating factors for the case included the injury to Bird and a deterrent for this type of conduct occurring in the game, resulting in a two week increase to the sanction.

"This was then reduced by two weeks due to Hames' remorse and prompt guilty plea for the incident.

"After taking all these factors into consideration, I found that a suspension of five weeks was warranted which was accepted by the player."