New South Wales Waratahs fullback Duncan McRae was todaysuspended for seven weeks for repeatedly punchingBritish and Irish Lions back Ronan O'Gara in Saturday's tour rugby match.
McRae pleaded guilty but said he was provoked by a swinging arm which struck his jaw and then a kick or knee to his stomach.
The International Rugby Board disciplinary committee said provocation was no defence and repeatedly striking a player who could not defendhimself was regarded as a very serious incident.
The committee said McRae's good record was taken into account when deciding his sentence.
McRae apologised to O'Gara and his teammates and said he deserved the ban.
O'Gara had eight stitches and severe bruising and swelling under his left eye after McRae had landed up to a dozen punches to his head while theywrestled on the ground midway through the second half of the Lions' 41-24 win Saturday.
McRae was immediately sent off by referee Scott Young and the incident sparked further hostilities with Waratahs teammates Cameron Blades andBrendan Cannon and Lions forward Danny Grewcock and Phil Vickery sent to the sin-bin for fighting minutes after.
The Lions take on NSW Country in Coffs Harbour on Tuesday night before playing the world champion Wallabies in the first of three internationalsat the Gabba ground in Brisbane next Saturday.
AFP