McGahan defends Laurie Weeks

Weeks was suspended for three weeks by a Disciplinary Committee after he unleashed a flurry of punches on the Springbok prop which resulted in him being shown a red card.

Du Plessis had started the incident when he lashed out at Weeks running down the pitch, but after Weeks made contact with around five or six swings there was no question that he had to be sent off.

McGahan sympathised with his player while also acknowledging that he went too far. Weeks is a senior figure at the Rebels and prospect Paul Alo-Emile will be asked to step up again in his absence.

"Laurie has been terrific for the Rebels for a long period of time – he will be a loss for us," McGahan told The Age.

"It's a difficult situation when you are blindly running down the field after a scrum and someone clocks you from behind.

"Laurie thought he was under attack and it's not the first time those situations have happened and he retaliated. He certainly needed to stand up for himself, there is no doubt about that, but he also needs to understand there is a point of stopping as well.