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Sydney - Wallabies backrower Scott Higginbotham has been banned for four weeks after being found guilty of striking All Blacks captain Richie McCaw during Saturday's Bledisloe Cup Test in Brisbane.
VIDEO: Higginbotham head-butts McCaw
Higginbotham will miss Australia's Tests against England and France on their end-of-year tour to Europe next month after the ban was imposed at a judicial hearing on Monday.
He received a two-week suspension on both charges and was suspended from all forms of rugby from October 20 to November 17.
Australia are scheduled to play France on November 10 and England on November 17.
Duty judicial officer Jannie Lubbe said neither incident was regarded as severe and the knee impact was more of a bump than a hit.
"The head-butt was reckless and not executed with much force. McCaw was not injured and play resumed," Lubbe said in his judgment.
"The player (Higginbotham) has an exemplary disciplinary record and at the age of 26 it was his first appearance before a judiciary.
"The player pleaded guilty and placed on record that he and McCaw shook hands after the match and that there are no ill feelings."
The case was heard by SANZAR's (South Africa, New Zealand and Australia Rugby) judicial body.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen described the Higginbotham incident in the Bledisloe Test as a "cheap shot".
"I saw the head-butt. It was another cheap shot on Richie... he seems to get them every week, but everyone seems to miss them," Hansen said at the post-match press conference.
Saturday's Brisbane match finished in an 18-18 draw.
