Tuqiri (obscured by 14) was punished for this tackle on McCaw

Tuqiri, who scored two tries in Australia's 34-27 defeat on Saturday, has been banned until 2 November but will only miss one Wallaby game.

McCaw was lifted and driven into the ground early in the second half but Tuqiri was not punished at the time.

He was cited afterwards and appeared in front of a Sanzar panel on Sunday.

"The tackle was dangerous and placed the tackled player in a vulnerable position," said a Sanzar judicial panel statement.

Tuqiri protested his innocence although ruled out appealing against the decision.

"The suspension was a bit harsh but I'll cop it," he said.

"There was no malice in the tackle. I was trying to drive him towards the other line. His upper body lost control of where he was at and unfortunately he landed awkwardly.

"I've written him a letter and sent it to his hotel. I hope he's all right and I wished him luck for the two Tests in South Africa."

It was a tactic to take McCaw out of the game All Blacks coach Graham Henry

Tuqiri will now miss Australia's final Tri-Nations match against South Africa on 9 September.

The former rugby league international is also suspended for the first three New South Wales matches in Australia's inaugural provincial championship.

The incident occurred four minutes into the second half and left McCaw needing lengthy treatment on the pitch.

"When you get in a position like that, with luck you come out all right, but it gave me a fright," said McCaw. "I guess that is what happens when you end up upside down.

"It's nothing I haven't experienced before but if you are getting taken out it leaves opportunities for others."

The incident angered New Zealand management at the time but 24 hours after the game, coach Graham Henry played down the tackle.

"It was a tactic to take McCaw out of the game," he said. "But that's part of rugby and you live with that.

"If they've got a great player you want to nullify him as well."

New Zealand's victory secured their seventh Tri-Nations title as well as completing a 3-0 Bledisloe Cup whitewash over Australia.