Five tries and a five-week ban - all from one game
The Queensland Reds are reeling after try-scoring machine Filipo Daugunu copped a five-match ban for a dangerous tackle.
The Fijian winger has had the book thrown at him after his five-try display in the Reds' 57-5 trial win over Melbourne Rebels at Gladstone in regional Queensland last week.
Daugunu emerged as a strike weapon for Queensland ahead of the 2020 Super Rugby season with his remarkable display against an admittedly understrength Rebels line-up.
He tore apart a Melbourne outfit without Wallabies stars Reece Hodge, Matt Toomua, Marika Koroibete, Isi Naisarani, Dane Haylett-Petty and Angus Cottrell.
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Remarkably Daugunu notched his hat-trick by the 36th minute and had his fifth inside 50 with a long-range second-half effort.
However, the Reds will now start the season without an offensive threat after Daugunu's dangerous tackle in the 75th minute.
Judicial officer Adam Casselden announced Daugunu's ban on Wednesday after the Reds flyer entered a guilty plea.
"The Judicial Officer assessed the breach as meriting a mid-range entry point, which carries a 10-week suspension, however Daugunu received the full 50 per cent reduction available under World Rugby regulations due to his early guilty plea, remorse and other mitigating factors," a release said.
"He is available to play again in round five of the 2020 Super Rugby season."
Queensland complete their pre-season with a clash against the NSW Waratahs on Friday at Dalby.
Michael Hooper has made the decision to stand down as Waratahs captain after serving in the role since early-2016:
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Think it was a great defensive performance by Northampton. They didn't have stage fright in the first half, the Nienaber defense smothered them. They limited Leinster to 15-3 in the first half. It could have been over by then. A great try from Leinster in the start of the second half looked to have sealed it. But Byrne missed another conversion. Northampton started trying little kicks behind the Leinster wingers. Leinster messed one and Smith brilliantly made the conversion. Leinster decided to tighten the game after Byrne missed a straight forward penalty. A few errors got NH into the 22 and they scored and converted with a few minutes left. Another brilliant steal from Lawes saw NH have a final attack which was turned over by Conan. A classic semi final. World record attendance of 82,300. Leinsters 3 week preparation warranted for this one.
Go to commentsJust came back from the game and the atmosphere was amazing. Players stayed afterwards for more than a hour to sign stuff and take photos with fans. Great day out.
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