Australian winger Reece Hodge has been issued a ban for three games due to his dangerous tackle on Peceli Yato in the World Cup Pool D win against Fiji. An independent disciplinary committee in Tokyo had adjudged Hodge’s no arms challenge on the Fijian flanker, where he was given a red card. The ban comes just a day after World Rugby had publicly criticised the standard of officiating that’s been taking place in the competition so far. The player will be missing the rest of the remaining pool matches that are set to take place against Wales, Uruguay, and Georgia.
Hodge has been given 48 hours to try and appeal against the ban, which has since been educed from six games to three due to Hodge’s exemplary disciplinary record, along with his good character and conduct at the hearing. The suspension will end in early October, which means that he should be able to take part in the quarterfinal should the two time winners manage to reach the last eight in Japan.
Yato has cored the opening try for the game in Sapporo, but after the tackle, which took place in the 25th minute, he failed a Head Injury Assessment and was forced to be replaced. The Australian had escaped without punishment on the field before going on to score for his side in their comeback win, and John McKee, head coach for Fiji, said that losing Yato early in the game was a huge loss.
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