Rugby: Luatua suspended, won't miss a game

Steven Luatua. Photo / Greg Bowker

Blues loose forward Steven Luatua has been suspended for three weeks after pleading guilty to a tip tackle on Brodie Retallick during his side's 41-34 loss to the Chiefs in Albany during the weekend - but he won't miss a game.

The suspension runs up to and including June 23 after Luatua was found to be in violation of law 10.4 (j) but because Super Rugby is on a three-week break and the flanker hasn't been selected in this week's North-South fixture he will effectively escape unpunished.

Luatua entered an early guilty plea, which cut the suspension from six to three weeks after he was shown a yellow and white card for his actions.

The Blues are bottom of the Super Rugby standings following the loss, their 12th from 14 games this season and have a bye when Super Rugby resumes later this month so they won't play again until July 7, against the Force.