Joe Moody suspended for two games for cheap shot on Kurtley Beale

Crusaders prop Joe Moody has been banned for two games after striking NSW Waratahs centre Kurtley Beale. Photo / Twitter

Joe Moody has been banned for two games for his hit on Kurtley Beale during the Crusaders' 31-29 win over the Waratahs on Saturday.

The All Blacks prop escaped punishment on the pitch for his apparent elbow to the throat of Beale, which occurred moments before he scored the first Crusaders try in the 35th minute.

The fact his transgression was missed infuriated the Australians, with Moody's try the start of a stunning Crusaders comeback from 29-0 down.

Moody was cited after the match and pleaded guilty to a hearing of the Sanzaar Foul Play Review Committee tonight. The committee ruled that the incident contravened Law 9.12: "Striking with hand or arm".

The committee considered a four-week ban to be merited "due to the dangerous contact with the opposing player's head" but reduced it to two weeks because of mitigating factors including Moody's "excellent judicial record, good character and guilty plea at the earliest possible opportunity".

Moody will miss the Crusaders' games against the Blues and Hurricanes, but fortunately for the All Blacks, the suspension means that Moody will be free to play in the test series against France.

Moody is set for a return in the Crusaders' game against the Chiefs on June 2.