Hore's suspension will run until February 24 next year to ensure he misses three pre-season Super Rugby warm-up matches for the Highlanders.

Davies was taken to hospital after he was hit from behind by Hore inside the opening minute of world champions New Zealand's 33-10 win over Wales at the Millennium Stadium last Saturday.

International Rugby Board (IRB) judicial officer Professor Lorne Crerar of Scotland, ruled Hore's swinging arm was "inherently dangerous" but accepted the All Blacks' hooker had not "intended" to make contact with Davies's head.

Crerar was initially minded to give Hore an eight-week ban for a 'top-end' offence of this type, but reduced the suspension to five weeks when taking into account such mitigating factors as the New Zealander's daily contact with Davies since the incident.