Reds lock banned for boot to the head

Sydney - Reds lock Harry Hockings will miss their crucial Super Rugby clashes against the Rebels and Waratahs after receiving a three-week ban for trampling on the Sunwolves' Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco.

The sanction comes after Hockings was sent off in the Reds' 32-26 win over the Japanese-based team last Friday for a boot to Warren-Vosayaco's head in a ruck.

A SANZAAR judicial committee hearing on Monday evening ruled his actions warranted a six-week suspension under World Rugby rules, but given his clean record and remorse it was reduced to three.

"The actions of the player were deemed reckless although the contact made was found not to have been made with significant force," it said. 

"Taking into account mitigating factors including the player's clean judicial record, his youth and good reputation, his acceptance of responsibility and his expressed remorse, the Judicial Committee reduced the suspension to three weeks."

The Reds, who are third in a tight Australian conference, play the Rebels in Melbourne on Friday before facing the Waratahs at home a week later.