Jerome Kaino suspension confirmed

Feb 23 • General News, Super Rugby • 1381 Views • Comments Off on Jerome Kaino suspension confirmed

Blues captain Jerome Kaino will miss the team’s season opener against the Highlanders at Eden Park on Friday night, after he was sanctioned for foul play during a pre-season match against the Chiefs on Friday.

Kaino was red carded by referee Brendon Pickerill under law 10.4 (a) for striking Chiefs prop Pauliasi Manu during their final pre-season fixture at ECOLight Stadium in Pukekohe.

Kaino lodged an early admission of the offence which was acknowledged by Duty Judicial Officer Roger Drummond before he handed down the one-week suspension.

In his written decision, Mr Drummond noted that Kaino had held a clean judicial record for more than 10 years and that he was remorseful and had apologised to Manu. He also accepted Kaino’s submission that his action was reckless and not intentional.

Kaino will be available for the Blues match against the Crusaders in Christchurch the following week.