13/05/2008 07:44

Wellington - Hurricanes prop Neemia Tialata has been suspended for the vital Super 14 match against the Auckland Blues on Friday after being found guilty of a dangerous tackle.

Tialata was suspended for a week after upending Force player Dane Haylett-Petty in the Hurricanes' 21-10 win over the Force in Wellington last Friday, the judiciary said on Tuesday.

Judicial officer Chris Morris said Haylett-Petty had been lifted into a vertical position before being brought to the ground, "which presented an unacceptable level of risk of injury".

The All Black prop admitted in a hearing on Monday that the tackle had been poor.

The Hurricanes need to beat the Blues on Friday to ensure a home semi-final the following week and a loss could see them miss out on the play-offs altogether.