Vagana handed one-match
ban

New Zealand stand-off Nigel Vagana has been handed a one-match ban for the tackle that left Great Britain scrum-half Paul Deacon with horrific facial injuries.

Vagana, who was also fined ?500, will serve the suspension when the Kiwis play France in Toulouse on Friday night, which means he will be free to play in the final of the Gillette Tri-Nations Series if either Great Britain or Australia are eliminated this weekend.

The 30-year-old Cronulla Sharks player was found guilty of a careless high tackle when he appeared in front of a specially-convened disciplinary panel at the Rugby Football League headquarters in Leeds.

The Kiwis will play in the Elland Road decider if Britain either lose or beat the Kangaroos by more than eight points in the last group match at Hull on Saturday.

Vagana was placed on report - for the second time in the series - by Australian referee Tim Mander 23 minutes into New Zealand's 38-12 defeat by Britain in Huddersfield last Saturday for a high tackle that left Deacon needing reconstructive surgery to his cheekbone and the roof of his mouth.

Vagana, who has won 30 caps for the Kiwis, was referred by a video review panel to a three-man disciplinary committee, which delivered tonight's verdict.

It is the second time Vagana has faced the judiciary in the Tri-Nations Series. He was cited for an alleged spear tackle on Australian forward Trent Waterhouse in the Kiwis' opening 38-28 win in Sydney but escaped punishment.

Vagana's team David Solomona was handed a one-match ban for a dangerous tackle in the Kiwis' 42-26 win over Britain at Loftus Road.

- - - - -

Thanks to www.superleague.co.uk for this news.