Why banned Wallaby flyer is cleared for Bok clash

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Wallaby flyer Filipo Daugunu received a three-match ban after being sent off in Australia’s 40-29 win over Georgia in Sydney last weekend.

However, he will still be available for Australia’s Rugby Championship opener against the Springboks in Brisbane on August 10.

That is because the ban will include two matches for his club side Sunnybank.

An additional match will also be used if he completes World Rugby’s Coaching Intervention for Sanction Mitigation (CISM).

The Wallabies played with one less player early in the second half after Daugunu’s yellow card for a clumsy charge down was upgraded to red at the interval.

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Filipo Daugunu handed a three-game ban for his red card against Georgia.

He will be available for the clash against the Springboks if he completes World Rugby’s Coaching Intervention Programme. pic.twitter.com/oLvRXG2FNo

— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) July 24, 2024

The disciplinary committee hearing was chaired by Michael Heron (New Zealand) and joined by former international referee Donal Courtney (Ireland) and former international rugby player Stefan Terblanche (South Africa).

“The player accepted that foul play had occurred but did not accept that the offence warranted a red card,” said a World Rugby statement

“The committee considered the player’s submissions, along with the clips and other available evidence and found that the red card was upheld.

“While the red card issued was for Law 9.13 [dangerous tackle], the committee decided that the offence should be 9.11 [players must not do anything that is reckless or dangerous] as it was an attempted charge down.

“The committee considered the appropriate entry point for the offending and decided that the offence warranted the mandatory mid-end entry point for offending involving contact with the head of six matches.

“Having considered submissions as regards mitigation, the committee applied full 50 percent mitigation to the sanction resulting in a sanction of three matches.

“An additional match may be removed from the sanction should the player complete the World Rugby Coaching Intervention for Sanction Mitigation (CISM) which applies to foul play involving head contact.”

The player is therefore suspended for the following matches:

Sunnybank v Souths Round 16, Hospital Cup – July 27
UQ v Sunnybank Round 17, Hospital Cup – August 3
Australia v South Africa, Rugby Championship (Round One) – August 10*

*Subject to the successful completion of the CISM.