Australia backrower David Pocock has been suspended for three weeks and will miss two Super Rugby matches after pleading guilty to dangerous play in the ACT Brumbies' loss to the Chiefs last weekend.

Pocock was cited for grabbing Chiefs No. 8 Michael Leitch's neck in a maul in the 74th minute of the match in Canberra on Saturday, and was sanctioned on Tuesday after a hearing with judicial officer Adam Cassleden.

Super Rugby organizers SANZAAR released a statement saying Pocock's action was at the lower end of the scale but the penalty had to be a deterrent.

Cassleden says "taking into account mitigating factors including the player's early plea, his good character, his genuine remorse and his excellent disciplinary record I reduced the suspension to a period of two games."

-AP