Andrew Hore gets a five-week ban
NZ hooker Andrew Hore will miss Saturday's international against England after a five-week ban.
LONDON:- New Zealand hooker Andrew Hore is set to miss Saturday s international against England at Twickenham after receiving a five-week ban Wednesday for striking Wales lock Bradley Davies.
Hore s suspension will run until February 24 next year to ensure he misses three pre-season Super Rugby warm-up matches for the Highlanders.
Davies was taken to hospital after he was hit from behind by Hore inside the opening minute of world champions New Zealand s 33-10 win over Wales at the Millennium Stadium last Saturday.
International Rugby Board (IRB) judicial officer Professor Lorne Crerar of Scotland, ruled Hore s swinging arm was "inherently dangerous" but accepted the All Blacks hooker had not "intended" to make contact with Davies s head.
Crerar was initially minded to give Hore an eight-week ban for a top-end offence of this type, but reduced the suspension to five weeks when taking into account such mitigating factors as the New Zealander s daily contact with Davies since the incident.
