Rugby World Cup: Warburton banned for three weeks

Wales captain Sam Warburton is sent off for spear tackling France's Vincent Clerc. Photo / Natalie Slade

Wales captain Sam Warburton has been banned for three weeks after admitting making a dangerous tip tackle during his team's 9-8 Rugby World Cup semifinal loss to France.

The 23-year-old flanker appeared at a judicial hearing in Auckland on Sunday after being sent off in the 18th minute of Saturday's match by Irish referee Alain Rolland.

Independent judicial officer Christopher Quinland of England took evidence from Warburton and Wales coach Warren Gatland and considered video evidence before deciding on the penalty.

The suspension takes effect immediately and runs until Nov. 6, ruling Warburton out of the World Cup third-place playoff between Wales and the loser of Sunday's semifinal between Australia and New Zealand.

Rugby World Cup suspensions:
Courtney Lawes, England - 2 matches for kneeing Argentina's Mario Ledesma (Sept. 13)
Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Fiji - 3 matches for tip tackle on South Africa's Pat Lambie (Sept. 20)
Valery Tsnobiladze, Russia - 3 weeks for headbutting Ireland's Sean O'Brien (Sept. 28)
Suka Hufanga, Tonga - 5 weeks for tip tackle on France's Vincent Clerc (Oct. 2)
Delon Armitage, England - 1 match for dangerous tackle on Scotland's Chris Paterson (Oct. 3)
Lekso Gugava, Georgia - 5 weeks for tip tackle on Argentina's Felipe Contepomi (Oct. 3)
Fabrice Estebanez, France - 3 weeks for tip tackle on Tonga's Joe Tu'ineau (Oct. 3)
Leonardo Ghiraldini, Italy - 15 weeks for eye-gouging Ireland's Cian Healy (Oct. 4)
Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, Samoa - 6 months (suspended) for misconduct on social media (Oct. 15)
Sam Warburton, Wales - 3 weeks for tip tackle on France's Vincent Clerc (Oct. 16)

- AP