Otago center Daniel Bowden suspended for 1 match on dangerous tackle charge

Bowden banned for 1 week for dangerous tackle

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Otago Highlanders center Daniel Bowden was suspended for one week when he pleaded guilty to a dangerous tackle charge at a Super 14 rugby judicial hearing.

Bowden received a yellow card for a high tackle on Riaan Swanepoel in the 35th minute of the Highlanders’ 12th-round match against the Sharks Saturday.

In the hearing at Durban, South Africa on Sunday, Bowden argued that the yellow card was sufficient penalty for the offense, but judicial officer Dekker Govender imposed a one-match suspension.

Bowden will miss the Highlanders’ match against the Lions at Johannesburg on Friday.

Highlanders’ prop Clint Newlands was found not guilty on a striking charge when he also appeared at a judicial hearing in Durban.