Liam Hallam-Eames suspended for four matches

Manawatu lock Liam Hallam-Eames has been suspended for four matches for striking an opposition player in his team’s Mitre 10 Cup match against Waikato on Saturday 18 August.

Hallam-Eames was cited under law 9.12 for striking a player with his arm in the first minute of the match. Manawatu won 24-19.

New Zealand Rugby Duty Judicial Officer Chris Morris said it was a deliberate strike to the head of the opposition player who as a result was required to leave the field and failed a Head Injury Assessment (HIA).

Taking into account Hallam-Eames admission of guilt and clean record, Morris reduced the suspension from six to four matches.

Hallam-Eames’s suspension includes all rugby and means he will miss Manawatu’s matches against Taranaki, Otago, Canterbury and Northland and be available to return to play in Week Six of the Mitre 10 Cup.