Castres lock cops lengthy ban for horror tackle

Castres lock Ryno Pieterse was on Wednesday banned for 12 weeks for a dangerous tackle, the French National Rugby League (NRL) announced.

Pieterse was red-carded in the 64th minute of the 23-23 draw with Bordeaux for a late and violent tackle on scrum-half Maxime Lucu.

Lucu had just kicked the ball and still had both feet off the ground when Pieterse flew into him.

The NRL Disciplinary Committee found Pieterse responsible for "dangerous play" and "tackling, charging, pulling, pushing or grabbing an opponent whose feet are not touching the ground", the statement read.

His suspension has been reduced from 24 weeks to 12 weeks after his acknowledgement of guilt and remorse as well as his clean record, inexperience, conduct before and during the hearing. 

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