Fijian Drua scrumhalf Lomani banned 6 weeks for elbowing Super Rugby rival in the head

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Fijian Drua scrumhalf Frank Lomani has been banned for six weeks for striking Melbourne Rebels lock Josh Canham's head with an elbow during a Super Rugby Pacific match last weekend.

Lomani was shown a red card by the on-field referee when Drua was trailing 34-20 in the second half. The Rebels won 41-20.

He was referred to Super Rugby’s foul play review committee which found him guilty Wednesday of “deliberate physical abuse of striking with an elbow to the back of the victim player’s head and causing injury."

It found Canham "was in an incredibly vulnerable position with limited ability, if any, to defend himself” after clearing out from a ruck.

The entry-level penalty for the offense is 10 weeks but Lomani was granted a reduced ban because of an early guilty plea.

He will be sidelined until the last round of the regular season when Drua will host the Rebels in Lautoka, Fiji.

Drua prop Jone Koroiduadua has been suspended for two weeks but only one match for an attempted head butt. The Drua have a bye this weekend.

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AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby