Hurricanes captain and All Blacks No.8 Rodney So'oialo has been suspended for one week yesterday for "carelessly trampling" his New South Wales Waratahs opposite Phil Waugh during Saturday's Super 14 rugby match.

The penalty, which will see So'oialo miss his team's second round match on Friday against the Highlanders, was handed down by SANZAR Judicial Commissioner Bruce Squire at a hearing in Wellington.

Waugh suffered a serious gash to the head in the 65th minute incident but, after viewing video footage, Squire said there was reason to believe the boot of another player might have been responsible for that injury.

The Waratahs won the match 26-22.