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Tonga's ex-All Black handed ban for shot on Finn Russell

By Kim Ekin
aea Fifita of Tonga leaves the field after receiving a yellow card from Referee Karl Dickson (not pictured), as a 8-Minute window for a TMO Bunker Review begins during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between Scotland and Tonga at Stade de Nice on September 24, 2023 in Nice, France. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Tonga No 8 and former All Black Vaea Fifita's World Cup is essentially over after being handed a suspension after a red card against Scotland.

Fifita has been suspended for four matches by the independent Disciplinary Committee after submitting a guilty plea, which means he will miss the side's final pool game against South Africa.

The loose forward was charged with breaking Law 9.20(a), dangerous charging into a ruck or maul, in which he made contact with Scotland's flyhalf Finn Russell.

Fifita's afternoon was not one to remember after missing 10 tackles from his 17 attempts.

After losses to Ireland and to Scotland on Sunday in Nice, Tonga cannot qualify for the play-offs but can shake up the Pool by upsetting South Africa or restricting them from earning a bonus point win.

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