Anton Lienert-Brown will miss the Rugby Championship campaign after being handed a three-week suspension for his yellow card offense on fellow All Blacks squad member Dallas McLeod in Saturday’s Super Rugby Pacific final.

Lienert-Brown has been suspended up to and including July 29 which rules him out of the tests against Argentina, South Africa and Australia. He will be available for the second Bledisloe Cup clash in Dunedin.

The SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee (FPRC) reviewed the citing for Lienert-Brown following the head knock tackle early into the Crusaders’ win over the Chiefs.

“Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles and additional evidence, including from the player and submissions from his legal representative, Aaron Lloyd, the Foul Play Review Committee upheld the citing under Law 9.13,” Foul Play Review Committee Chair Michael Heron KC ruled.

“With respect to sanction, the Foul Play Review Committee held the act of foul play was reckless, with direct head-to-head contact made, high force and no significant mitigating factors present. The FPRC found the incident was dangerous and, after considering the relevant factors, decided the foul play merited a mid-range entry point of 6 weeks. Taking into account mitigating factors, including the Player’s exemplary record and guilty plea, the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension by three weeks.”

“In addition to the 3 weeks’ suspension, the FPRC has determined that the player is granted access in the application for the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme”.