Wellington - All Black prop Owen Franks has received a two-match ban for striking an opponent during the Crusaders' win over the Highlanders in Dunedin, although he will miss only one Super Rugby game, officials said on Tuesday.
Franks pleaded guilty after being cited for hitting Highlanders forward Josh Hohneck twice on the back of the head with his forearm early in the Crusaders' 26-20 win last Saturday.
The 67-Test veteran claimed he was trying to remove Hohneck from a maul and there was no malicious intent, SANZAR judicial officer Robert Stelzner said.