'Retired' French lock suspended
WORLD CUP DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: France lock Sebastien Vahaamahina, who retired from Test rugby after being sent off in the quarterfinal loss to Wales, was suspended for six weeks.
Vahaamahina went home to France under a cloud and announced his decision to retire from the international game, after he was red-carded for elbowing Welshman Aaron Wainwright in last Sunday’s match.
Vahaamahina’s case was heard earlier Thursday by a World Rugby disciplinary commission in Tokyo – with the player testifying by video conference from French headquarters in Marcousis France.
In a statement, the commission said a 10-week suspension was considered the starting point for the sanction against the French player, but mitigating factors, notably his full admission of the foul play and prompt apology, reduced it to six.
In a statement Top 14 club Clermont said the lock forward would be available to play again on December 21 against Toulon.
France led 19-10 when Vahaamahina was sent off in the 49th minute.
Down to 14-men France lost 19-20.
Capped 46 times, he announced his retirement from the international game this past Monday, his 28th birthday.
Wales face South Africa in Sunday’s semifinal.
The winner will meet either New Zealand or England, who meet on Saturday.
The incident had an unexpected twist when South African referee Jaco Peyper, who issued Vahaamahina his red card, was axed from the semifinal round (and most likely also the final week), because he playfully posed with Welsh fans after the game and re-enacted the elbow.
