The Brumbies have failed in their bid to have Len Ikitau's dangerous tackle charge downgraded, with a SANZAAR judiciary panel upholding the on-field red card for his tackle on Hurricanes fly-half Aidan Morgan.
But there is some good news for Dan McKellar's side as they prepare to fly to Auckland for Saturday's semifinal with the Blues, with star back-rower Rob Valetini named to make his return from a hamstring injury.
Valetini has missed the Brumbies past four games after injuring himself against the Chiefs in Round 12, the ACT side losing their next three without him before halting that slide against the Hurricanes last week.
He now returns to the run-on side at No. 8, with Pete Samu shifting to openside and rising talent Tom Hooper retained at No. 6.
"We're excited for this week and what will be an amazing occasion at Eden Park," McKellar said.
"It's great to have Bobby back this week and although we're gutted to lose Len, we've got full confidence in Ollie to do a job for the team in his place.
"We're going over the Auckland with plenty of belief ahead of a huge challenge against a quality team who we have a list of respect for."
The Brumbies were however unable to have Ikitau's red-card overturned following his appearance at the judiciary on Tuesday night.
The outside centre was sent off midway through the first half of the Brumbies' 35-25 win over the Hurricanes, after his shoulder collected Morgan in the head. Curiously, Morgan was not removed from the field of play for an HIA, but the officials were in agreement that Ikitau's tackle warranted a red card.
The Brumbies attempted to mount a case based around the mitigating factors in Ikitau's tackle -- including teammate Nic White's involvement -- but the SANZAAR panel agreed the incident warranted a six-match ban, but that was reduced to three because of the centre's remorse and conduct at the hearing among other factors.
"Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles and additional evidence, including from the player and submissions from his legal representative, Aaron Lloyd, the Judicial Committee upheld the Red Card under Law 9.13," SANZAAR panel chairman Stephen Hardy said via a statement on Wednesday afternoon?
"With respect to sanction, the Judicial Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of 6 matches given the nature of the foul play involving contact with the head. Taking into account mitigating factors, including the Player's remorse, exemplary judicial record to date, and conduct during the hearing, the Judicial Committee reduced the suspension by three matches.
Ikitau has applied to enter World Rugby's Head Contact Process Coaching Intervention program, which could see his ban reduced by a further week.
However the suspension means Ikitau's Super Rugby Pacific season is over, with the Brumbies to be without him for Saturday's semifinal against the Blues and also then the final should they win in Auckland.
It also puts him in jeopardy of missing the Wallabies' first Test with England, pending the notification of which matches he misses. This weekend's semifinal will serve as one game, but the Brumbies may then have to request he serve the second week through club rugby if they do not defeat the Blues this weekend.