Ulukuta to miss two matches | Manawatu-Wanganui Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Manawatu-Wanganui

Wanganui and Kaierau rugby No 8 Lasa Ulukuta has been stood down for two matches by the union.

He will therefore miss tomorrow's  match against the Manawatu Evergreens at Kaierau, as well as Saturday's club round.

Ulukuta was sent from the field in Kaierau's match with Marist on Saturday, on the report of one of the touchjudges, for allegedly kicking an opponent.

Wanganui Rugby Union CEO Dale Cobb said yesterday's decision was on the recommendation of the union's citing officer Doug Weal, aftere xamination of the referee's and touchjudges report. Neither the referee Peter Te Huna nor one touchjudge saw the alleged incident.

"We received the referee's report - he advised he had not seen the incident, and he received information from his assistant referee - and on the basis of that he issued a red card. Based on that report, and in consultation with the WRU's independent citing officer Doug Weal, the recommendation was that Ulukuta be given a two-game stand-down.

"We spoke to both assistant referees, who agreed two weeks was sufficient - and Kaierau will not appeal the decision. The Referees Association also confirmed they were happy with the penalty," said Cobb.

With Ulukuta and Kaierau team-mate John Mow unavailable against Manawatu tomorrow (Mow received his third yellow cared for the season in the same incident), and with other players suffering from colds an with his two locks out of the area, rep coach Guy Lennox cancelled Monday night training and will have his team assemble an hour earlier tomorrow for some organisation and naming.