The Wallabies have been dealt a massive blow ahead of their Bledisloe Cup double-header against the All Blacks this month.
Coach Les Kiss will have to do without the services of centre Hunter Paisami, who’s copped a six-week ban for a dangerous tackle on Springbok replacement flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu in Perth last Sunday.
Paisami was cited for the tackle in the 78th minute of the Wallabies’ 42-38 win.
The 28-year-old will miss four Test matches after the disciplinary committee reduced the initial six-week sanction by two weeks due to his recent disciplinary record, conduct and remorse.
MORE: Ex-Wallabies captain calls for ref ban
However, Kiss was still unhappy with the length of the ban.
“I’ll be careful what I say because I might be fined,” he said. “But four weeks, I thought it could have been a little bit less than that, for sure.
“However, it’s what it is, and we’ll deal with the reality of it. We’ve got two Bledisloe games and some other games that we can put that [suspension] into play, but ultimately, he’s out, and we’ll have to deal with that.”
Paisami’s absence adds to Australia’s midfield concerns, with Reds teammate Len Ikitau also under an injury cloud ahead of the Bledisloe Cup series.
Kiss has called on Reds midfielder Isaac Henry, while Jordan Petaia could return to the gold jersey for the Eden Park showdown.
Joseph Suaalii or Filipo Daugunu could also be options in the Australian midfield. Suaalii returned to the wing against the Boks, where he impressed in Australia’s victory.
Photo: Matt King/Getty Images
The post Wallabies centre banned for Sacha hit appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The Wallabies have been dealt a massive blow ahead of their Bledisloe Cup double-header against the All Blacks this month.
The post Wallabies centre banned for Sacha hit appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
