Scott Higginbotham banned for Rebels’ last match against Bulls due to ‘persistent offending’

SCOTT Higginbotham’s Super Rugby season has ended abruptly after he was suspended from the Rebels’ match with the Bulls on Friday.

Scott Higginbotham during Wallabies training. Pic Darren England.

SCOTT Higginbotham’s Super Rugby season has ended abruptly after the Melbourne captain was suspended from Friday night’s match with the Bulls in Pretoria.

Higginbotham was banned for the last game of the season for “persistent offending” after earning three yellow cards for the season.

His suspension is a body blow for the Rebels as they chase a historic first win overseas.

SANZAR Duty Judicial Officer Nicholas Davidson, QC, said Higginbotham’s lifting tackle against the Lions in Johannesburg on Friday was the “more serious” of his three offences.

Three yellow cards during the season has cost Scott Higginbotham a start in the Rebels’ last game.

The Wallabies backrower had been issued yellow cards for a professional foul in round nine and a late charge of the kicker in round 14.

“The final incident was regarded as more serious and for that reason, and the fact that the player had been sitting on two yellow cards and knew a judicial process would follow, a one-week suspension was imposed,” Davidson said in a statement.

“These incidents are an indication of persistent offending which after scrutiny warrant further sanction. The yellow card breaches did not result in any judicial scrutiny.

“Higginbotham was appointed captain of the Rebels and is the most experienced player in the team, held in very high regard by his coach and management.

“He has endeavoured to lead this team by example, but has played with a degree of intensity which has overreached in his accumulation of three yellow cards.

“The player has also previously received a three-week disciplinary sanction while playing at international level in 2012.”

Bryce Hegarty will undergo further assessment on a shoulder injury and is in doubt to play the Bulls.

Higginbotham’s suspension came as wing Tom Kingston returned to Melbourne for treatment on a chronic knee problem.

The former Waratah has been battling patella tendinopathy this season.

Flyhalf Bryce Hegarty remains in South Africa undergoing further assessment to a shoulder injury and is in doubt for the clash with the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld.

Lock Sam Jeffries and loose forward Lopeti Timani have flown to South Africa to join the squad.

Originally published as Scott Higginbotham banned for Rebels’ last match against Bulls due to ‘persistent offending’