Wellington - England backrower James Haskell has been suspended for three matches for punching an opponent during a Super Rugby match between his Highlanders and the Cheetahs.
Haskell received a yellow card for the incident in Saturday's match at Bloemfontein in which the Highlanders rallied from 30-9 down to win 36-33.
At a judicial hearing Haskell pleaded guilty to striking his Cheetahs opposite Justin Downey and was handed a three-match suspension by judical officer Mike Heron. He will miss the Highlanders' matches against the Sharks in Durban, the Hurricanes and Bulls.
Downey received stitches in a cut above one eye.
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