Blues No 8 Steven Luatua has been suspended for four weeks for his dangerous tackle on Chiefs winger Tim Nanai-Williams.
Luatua hit Nanai-Williams with a late, swinging arm off the ball that earned him a red card just before halftime in the Super Rugby clash in Hamilton on Friday night.
A Sanzaar foul play review committee suspended him from all forms of the game up to and including Saturday, April 1.
Luatua had pleaded guilty to dangerous tackling of an opponent.
The committee, headed by Christchurch QC Nigel Hampton, said they had looked at all the available evidence , including all camera angles, and had heard evidence from Luatua and his lawyer before upholding the charge.
"With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid range entry point of 6 weeks. However, taking into account mitigating factors including the Player's early admission of guilt and his remorse for his actions, the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension by 2 weeks."
Sanzaar had signalled it would be taking a tough line on high shots this season.
The Blues have accepted the suspension, with coach Tana Umaga saying the players were fully aware of the new laws regarding contact with the head area of an opponent, and the consequences for any mistake made by a tackler.
"We must be accurate in our tackling because if not, as we have now seen, the consequences can have a significant effect," he said.
Luatua apologised to Nanai-Williams 9after the game.
Photo: PHIL WALTER/GETTY IMAGESSteven Luatua of the Blues jogs from the field after being red carded against the Chiefs on Friday