Rugby: Nonu to appear at judicial hearing

Ma'a Nonu. Photo / Greg Bowker

Hurricanes second five-eighth Ma'a Nonu will appear at a judicial hearing on Monday after he was sent off during his team's Super 15 rugby season-opening 9-14 loss to the Highlanders here last night.

The All Blacks midfielder was yellow carded 29 minutes into the first half for a professional foul when he lay on the ball at a ruck, and received another yellow card from Australian whistleblower Stu Dickinson 10min into the second half for a dangerous shoulder charge on Highlanders halfback Jimmy Cowan.

The second yellow card resulted in a mandatory red card and subsequent sending off.

SANZAR citing commissioner Mike O'Leary also cited Nonu for the dangerous charge. The red card and citing requires Nonu to appear at a hearing at the New Zealand Rugby Union offices here on Monday.

The case will be heard by judicial officer Nigel Hampton QC.

- NZPA