Wallabies learn hearing fate with Springboks looming

Australia wing Filipo Daugunu will be available for the start of the Rugby Championship despite receiving a three-match ban for his red card against Georgia.

The 29-year-old was red-carded in the first half of the Wallabies’ 40-29 win over Georgia after a bunker review for making contact with the head of opposite man Demur Tapladze with his knee in a charge-down attempt.

The wing has subsequently been banned for three matches this week, though that can be reduced to two should he complete World Rugby’s Coaching Intervention Programme.

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The matches Daugunu will therefore miss will be for Queensland Premier Rugby’s Sunnybank, who face Souths and UQ on July 27 and August 3.

He will then return for the opening match of the Rugby Championship against the Springboks in Brisbane on August 10, who conversely will be without the recently-banned Andre Esterhuizen.

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A World Rugby statement reads: “Australia’s Filipo Daugunu has been suspended for two matches (subject to the completion of World Rugby’s Coaching Intervention Programme) for a red card offence contrary to Law 9.11 (dangerous tackle). The red card was issued in Australia’s match against Georgia in Sydney on 20 July, 2024.

“The independent Disciplinary Committee was chaired by Michael Heron KC (New Zealand), 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.

“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 per cent 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.”