Ma'a Nonu banned for three weeks for 'dangerous' tackle

Former New Zealand international Ma'a Nonu has been suspended for three weeks following a "dangerous" tackle in the Champions Cup last weekend, European rugby's governing body said on Tuesday.

Toulon centre Nonu, who played more than 100 times for the All Blacks, was shown a yellow card in Saturday's narrow 28-27 last 16 victory over South Africans Stormers for a high tackle on Wandisile Simelane.

He was cited after the match.

"Nonu accepted that he had committed an act of foul play that warranted a red card," the EPCR said in a statement.

"The (disciplinary) committee upheld the citing complaint, finding that Nonu had tackled Simelane in a dangerous manner and determined that the offending was at the mid-range of World Rugby's sanctions and six weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point."

The 43-year-old's suspension was reduced by half due to "his expression of remorse and his very good disciplinary record", the statement said.

He will miss Toulon's quarterfinal trip to Glasgow Warriors this weekend but will be available to play again for Toulon on April 27.

Their next match after that will be a home Top 14 clash against French champions Toulouse.