Rugby: Lauaki cleared after judiciary botch-up

Sione Lauaki is free to play against the Stormers after his disciplinary hearing was dismissed. Photo / Getty Images

An administrative bungle has let Chiefs No 8 Sione Lauaki off the hook over a citing for dangerous play during the Super 14 rugby match against the Bulls at Pretoria on Sunday (NZT).

Lauaki was shown the yellow card for a high tackle on Springbok Bryan Habana and was subsequently cited following the match which the Chiefs lost 27-33.

However, the disciplinary hearing early this morning (NZtime) was dismissed on technical grounds as the citing was not received within the prescribed 12-hour period after the match ended.

The hearing took place at the offices of the South African Rugby Union in Newlands, Cape Town.

In exceptional circumstances, the judicial officer can allow citings that were made more than 12 hours after the end of the game.

Judicial officer Dekker Govender could not find exceptional circumstances to allow the hearing to continue.

Lauaki will now be available for the second-placed Chiefs who face the Stormers at Cape Town on Sunday morning (NZtime) in their final tour match.

- NZPA