Crusaders winger Nadolo hit with three-match ban for lifting

SYDNEY - Canterbury Crusaders winger Nemani Nadolo will miss three Super Rugby matches after being found guilty of a dangerous tackle on ACT Brumbies scrumhalf Tomas Cubelli last weekend, governing body SANZAAR said on Tuesday. The Fijian submitted a guilty plea after being cited for a lifting tackle on his Argentine opponent in the 39th minute of the Crusaders' 40-14 victory in Canberra on Sunday. Nadolo was banned until May 21 and will miss matches against the Queensland Reds, Otago Highlanders and New South Wales Waratahs, as well as a club fixture next weekend when the Crusaders have a bye. The powerful 28-year-old was outstanding against the Brumbies, scoring one try and setting up another as the seven-times champions won a seventh successive match to keep pace with the Waikato Chiefs at the top of the New Zealand conference. (Reporting by Nick Mulvenney, editing by Peter Rutherford)