Crusaders prop Tamaiti Williams banned for three weeks for dangerous play

Tuesday, 3 March 2026

Crusaders prop Tamaiti Williams has been banned for three weeks after the Super Rugby Pacific foul play review committee found him guilty of dangerous play against the Chiefs.

Williams has been suspended from all forms of the game for three weeks but the ban could be reduced to two if he completes World Rugby's Coaching Intervention Programme.

Super Rugby Pacific deemed he contravened Law 9.20a when he collided with All Blacks team-mate and Chiefs lock Tupou Vaa’i in a breakdown in the 15th minutes of the match at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton last Saturday night.

The FPRC determined Williams had entered a ruck and made direct shoulder contact to Vaai’s head, with no mitigation, and that the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of six weeks/matches.

In light of Williams accepting he committed an act of foul play as well as mitigating factors such as his disciplinary record and remorse, the FPRC applied the full 50 per cent reduction in sanction.

The suspension will apply to the matches against the Blues on Saturday night, and the fixtures against the Highlanders and Moana Pasifika over the following two weekends.

He would be free to play Moana Pasifika if he completes World Rugby's Coaching Intervention Programme.

The Crusaders were under pressure to play to their potential after earlier losses to the Highlanders and Brumbies.

They answered their critics by beating the Chiefs 43-33 in a clash that was, at times, a feisty affair.

Williams was prominent immediately after the halftime whistle, having taken offence to Chiefs prop Jared Proffit tipping over Crusaders captain and midfielder David Havili late in the opening spell.

A number of players, including Williams, were involved in a verbal altercation on the ground before retreating to the changing sheds.

The Crusaders led 24-21 at halftime, having fought back from a 14-0 deficit.