The Melbourne Rebels won't have to face Chiefs ace Damian McKenzie with the playmaker suspended for three weeks after his Super Rugby Trans-Tasman send-off last round.
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The Chiefs No.10 was marched on Saturday night for a dangerous tackle on Queensland Reds halfback Tate McDermott in the first half of their loss in Townsville.
The All Blacks star was banned for three weeks, up to and including June 19.
That means he will also be sidelined for the match against the NSW Waratahs at Brookvale Oval on June 12 and likely a club game with his University team - with the Chiefs set to miss the top-two final after their loss to the Reds.
That will allow him to be selected for New Zealand's opening Test of the year against Tonga.
The Rebels game against the Chiefs in Hamilton was this week pushed back a day to Sunday, with the Melbourne team still relying on the travel bubble between New Zealand and Victoria being reinstated.
Australian Associated Press