Fekitoa banned but Cane walks free

All Blacks centre Malakai Fekitoa has been handed a one match ban by World Rugby following his dangerous tackle against Ireland’s Simon Zebo last weekend.
Fekitoa was at the hearing with teammate Sam Cane who was also cited for a high challenge on Robbie Henshaw in the same match but escaped punishment.
At the time Fekitoa was given a yellow card while Cane was merely penalised for his tackle which saw Henshaw forced off with a head injury.
At the disciplinary hearing in London overnight, Fekitoa accepted that he had committed an act of foul play but asserted that it would not have warranted a red card.
The disciplinary panel found that the centre’s actions would have warranted a red card despite the fact he acted recklessly rather than intentionally.
The tackle was deemed a low-end entry point on World Rugby’s scale of seriousness which carries a two-week suspension.
It was agreed that because of Fekitoa’s immediate acknowledgement of wrongdoing, his previous clean disciplinary record and his good conduct at the hearing, that his ban should be reduced to one week.
Despite being free to face France this weekend, flanker Cane will miss the match due to an injury he sustained in the Ireland game.
ED HUTSON