Gareth Bautz banned for 3 weeks

Sydney Rays flanker Gareth Bautz went before a National Rugby Championship (NRC) judicial hearing in Sydney last night after being issued a red card during his team’s Round 7 match against the Canberra Vikings at the weekend.

 
Bautz pleaded guilty to breach of law 10.4 (j) ‘Lifting a player from the ground and either dropping or driving that player’s head and/or upper body into the ground whilst the player’s feet are off the ground.’

 
Judicial Officer Steve Hardy found that the conduct was in the low end for this offence and as a result is suspended for three weeks. 

He is ineligible to play until after November 4, 2017.

 
Gareth attended the hearing in person and was represented by Michael Callanan and team manager Michael Hartley.