Ricoh Black Rams flyhalf Colin Bourke was suspended for two Top League games, while Toyota Industries Shuttles forward Siosaia Fifita drew a one-game ban, the Japan Rugby Football Union announced Thursday.
The 29-year-old Bourke, who was not sin-binned in Saturday’s 27-26 Group B defeat against NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes, was disciplined for striking an opponent. With three games remaining, Ricoh lead Group B with 19 points but with just a four-point lead over the fifth-place Kintetsu Liners. The group’s top-four finishers will automatically remain in the Top League next season.
The 31-year-old Fifita was found guilty of a dangerous tackle in Sunday’s 46-14 Group B win over Munakata Sanix Blues. Shuttles are seventh in the group, which will relegate the eighth-place finisher.
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