The struggling Queensland Reds have suffered another blow with the banning for three weeks of their Wallabies prop James Slipper for a dangerous tackle during last weekend's Super Rugby loss to the Auckland Blues.
Slipper received a yellow card for a lifting tackle on Blues back-rower Peter Saili during their 44-14 loss in Auckland, which extended the 2011 champions' losing streak to four matches.
24-year-old Slipper will miss two games - home matches against the Canterbury Crusaders and the Melbourne Rebels the following week - and could have been more harshly punished, but for his excellent disicplinary record.
The Otago Highlanders hooker Brayden Mitchell was also banned for three weeks for a tip tackle against the Stormers in Cape Town at the weekend.
