Rugby: Nonu sidelined for one week

In just the opening round of the Super 15 Ma'a Nonu has proven himself too much of a risk. Photo / Getty Images

Hurricanes second five-eighth Ma'a Nonu has been banned for one week after a two-hour Sanzar judicial hearing found him guilty of a dangerous charge on Highlanders' halfback Jimmy Cowan.

Nonu was yellow-carded for the offence in the Hurricanes' 9-14 loss to the Highlanders on Friday night and was sent off after earlier being sinbinned for a professional foul.

He will miss the Hurricanes' match against Crusaders at Wellington on Saturday, which was to be his 100th Super rugby match for the franchise.

Cowan sent a letter to Sanzar in support of Nonu, which aided the All Blacks midfield back's case.

Nonu is no stranger to the Sanzar judiciary.

In 2005 he was suspended for a week for a dangerous tackle against the Sharks and copped the same punishment for the same offence three years later. On that occasion he had been yellow-carded for a high tackle on the Highlanders' Clint Newland.

Last March he was cleared of making a reckless tackle on Stormers first five-eighth Peter Grant in the Hurricanes' 37-13 loss at Cape Town.

- NZPA