SYDNEY, March 5 -- The captain of Australia's women's rugby team has been banned for six weeks after biting an opponent on the arm during a domestic match on Tuesday.
New Zealand-born Liz Patu faced a 12-week suspension for biting Rebecca Clough during a Super W match between Queensland and Rugby WA on Saturday. Clough reported the incident to the referee in the 70th minute, pointing to a bite mark on her arm.
Patu and Clough are teammates for Australia's Wallaroos but were on opposing teams in the Super W game.
The judicial panel allowed Patu the full 50 percent dispensation allowed under World Rugby rules, citing mitigating factors including her previous good character and clean disciplinary record.
Patu is the first player to be suspended in the Super W competition, which was founded last year.
The 29-year-old front-row forward later apologized for her action, which rules her out of the remainder of the Super W season.