Mitre 10 Cup: Steamers back Fa'asiu Fuatai suspended for three weeks

Bay of Plenty Steamer Fa'asiu Fuatai (left) was red carded against Wellington at the weekend. Photo / Getty Images

Bay of Plenty's Fa'asiu Fuatai has received a three-week suspension after being red carded against Wellington on Friday.

The outside back was sent from the field by referee Brendon Pickerill in the 66th minute of the match for his involvement in a lifting tackle that resulted in an opposition player's head making direct contact with the ground.

A statement from New Zealand Rugby said the duty judicial officer Aminiasi Kefu found Fuatai's action was reckless and the entry point for the sanction was ruled to be at the lower end of the scale of seriousness which has a sanction of six weeks.

In taking into account aggravating factors, Kefu added two weeks to the sanction as Fuatai had previously been to the judiciary for a similar offence, noting the outcome needed to act as a deterrent to end the pattern of offending.

Kefu noted that another player was also involved in the tackle and that Fuatai's participation was only moderate.

Other mitigating factors included Fuatai expressing remorse and apologising to the opposition players directly after the match.

After considering all factors, the final suspension was confirmed as three weeks, Fuatai will miss Bay of Plenty's matches again Auckland, Tasman and Manawatu.

In that same match, Bay of Plenty's Jordan Lay was cited for dangerous play in a ruck, he will face a judicial hearing this week.