Franks to miss key Crusaders games after two-match ban

Veteran prop Owen Franks has been suspended for two weeks, Super Rugby said on Tuesday, ruling him out of key games for the Crusaders against the Blues and Chiefs.

The 36-year-old was sent off late in a 14-10 home loss to leaders the Hurricanes on Friday after a dangerous head contact on forward Justin Sangster at a ruck.

A Super Rugby Foul Play Review Committee gave Franks a four-week suspension which was reduced to a fortnight after he entered a guilty plea.

The former All Blacks prop, who made the last of his 108 appearances for New Zealand in 2019, will miss the game at the Blues on Saturday and a home encounter with the Chiefs on March 29.

The Crusaders are still looking for a win this season.

The Canterbury-based team have won seven straight Super Rugby titles but Friday's home defeat was the first time they have lost four games in a row since the competition began in 1996.

They are already missing captain Scott Barrett, All Blacks back Will Jordan and British and Irish Lions full-back Leigh Halfpenny with injury.