Waikato lock Romana Graham as been banned from all rugby for six weeks following his headbutt on Canterbury fullback Sean Maitland during the ITM Cup championship final in Hamilton on Saturday.
The incident took place in the 59th minute of the game, which was won 12-3 by Canterbury and Grahamwas cited under law 10.4 (a).
During the tele-conference hearing this week, Judicial Officer Nigel Hampton QC considered video evidence, and evidence presented by the player and his representatives.
While Graham, 25, admitted the charge, Mr Hampton considered the offence to be in the mid-range of seriousness.
The ban includes the Chiefs' three-match Super Rugby pre-season campaign for next year and the opening three games of the season proper up until March 14, 2012.
Graham debuted for Waikato three years ago and played his first game for the Chiefs against the Western Force last year and has accumulated 14 caps at Super Rugby level.
