The Rebels will appeal a 10 week suspension handed to second rower Adam Byrnes for scratching the eye of Waratahs centre Tom Carter during the teams’ spiteful second round match on Friday night.
At the end of a 5 hour SANZAR judiciary hearing held by video link yesterday, Byrnes was judged to have intentionally made contact with Carter’s eye in the 27th minute of the game in Melbourne.
He will not be allowed to play any rugby until round 13 of the competition, when the Rebels play the Force on May 20 in Perth.
Byrnes’s suspension is believed to be the first handed down under the new “white card” hearing system being trialed by SANZAR.
Byrnes was involved in several on field confrontations during Melbourne’s 35 19 loss, but it was his tussle with Carter that attracted a white card.
Super 15 results from the weekend:
Highlanders 27-24 Crusaders
Reds 35-20 Western Force
Cheetahs 19-51 Bulls
Stormers 15-12 Sharks
Chiefs 29-14 Blues
Melbourne Rebels 19-35 Waratahs
Lions 28-30 Hurricanes
