PRC - Tonga's Palu suspended for two weeks

Tonga A flyhalf Tomasi Palu has been suspended from participating in all levels of rugby for two weeks for a dangerous tackle on Air Pacific Fiji Warriors scrumhalf Waisale Vatuvoka during the game between the Warriors and Tonga A last Saturday. 

The two weeks suspension was handed down today by tournament Judicial Officer Mosese Naivalu after last Sunday’s hearing on the matter and means Palu will miss his sides final fixture against Samoa A this weekend. Palu is eligible to play again from 3 April. 

Palu had been given a yellow card for the incident by Samoan referee Tui Koniti, however was cited after the match by Citing Commissioner Sitiveni Kunaika who deemed the incident worthy of a red card. 

The tackle left Vatuvoka unconscious and the game was held up for a number of minutes as he was stretchered from the field. 

The Judicial Officer had initially given a suspension of six weeks to Wellington based Palu, but after taking on board all mitigating factors brought the suspension down to two weeks. 

Tonga A plays Samoa A this Saturday, at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka, in the final 2011 Pacific Rugby Cup fixture.