Hika Elliot suspended for shoulder charge into Sharks prop Tendai Mtawarira; Rugby Heaven

Chiefs hooker Hika Elliot has been suspended for a week, but the New Zealand Super Rugby team will have to sweat on the immediate future of All Blacks flanker Liam Messam for a few days longer.

Elliot pleaded guilty to a shoulder charge into Sharks prop Tendai Mtawarira's head during the bizarre 12-11 Super Rugby loss in Durban on Sunday.

Elliot, who was sent off for the incident in a game that had three players red-carded, had a two week-ban reduced to one week for his good disciplinary record and will now miss the home match with the Cheetahs this weekend.

But the Chiefs now wait on the fate of Messam who has been cited for a dangerous tackle and will have to front a video conference judicial hearing on Tuesday.

Sharks hooker Bismark du Plessis was banned for four weeks for kicking Michael Leitch in the head after a routine tackle.

Slap on the wrist. Can't say I'm too surprised.

 A bit ironic considering Beast did the exact same thing to St Richie at Ellis Park 2 seasons ago and all he got was a penalty against him!Comments from SA fans on this and particularly you Mike??

Hitting the ruck is probably the most grey area. As long as the player is not entering from the side it should be legit. Or at least it happens every game. 
The northern hemisphere are the worst at this and their refs let them get away with murder at the rucks. The hit the ruck a few players at the time so it is often not even possibale to see