Epi Taione banned for six weeks for a head butt [1]
Thursday, April 10, 2008 - 09:34. Updated on Friday, May 9, 2014 - 22:43.
Sharks loose forward Epi Taione has been banned for six weeks for a head butt during their match against the Hurricanes on Saturday.
Story and Photo by Steve Haag
Sharks loose forward Epi Taione has been banned for six weeks for a head butt during their match against the Hurricanes on Saturday.
The Sharks hoped he would have a been a big impact for them on their Australasian tour and indeed into the play-offs.
He's been ruled out for the remainder of the Super 14, missing matches against the Highlanders, Waratahs, Brumbies, Crusaders, Cheetahs and Chiefs. Taione will be hoping the Sharks make the play-offs as he will only then be eligible to play once more.
Taione appeared before the SANZAR judiciary on Monday night and admitted to making contact with Canes lock Jeremy Thrush...s head. He denied it was deliberate, saying he was trying to clear his opponent from a maul. Judicial officer Nicholas Davidson accepted his explanation that he had not deliberately head-butted his opponent but ruled Taione's actions were still "grossly reckless".
"The act carried danger. There was no warrant whatsoever for what occurred. It was fortunate that Thrush had suffered no injury," SANZAR said in a statement.