Wasps' Paolo Odogwu's ban for flying kick will sideline him until Christmas
Wasps winger Paolo Odogwu has been handed a six-week ban for kicking an opponent in the head.
The 22-year-old was sent off by referee Tom Foley after catching Rohan Van Rensburg with a boot to the face when jumping to catch the ball in the 79th minute of his side’s 28-18 Gallagher Premiership defeat at Sale last Friday.
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Odogwu admitted the charge when he appeared before an independent disciplinary panel in Bristol on Wednesday evening and was banned until December 23.
Hearing chairman Dan White said: “The panel did not accept the player’s explanation that his leg extended to assist his balance in the air and prevent him from falling backward.
“The panel found that, while he did not intentionally aim to make contact with the Sale player’s face, he did intend to use his outstretched leg to fend off a potential oncoming player and was reckless as to whether or not it made contact or caused injury.
“In this case the dangerous action of the player resulted in a minor injury to the Sale player.
“In our opinion this was nevertheless a top end entry point; his disrespectful behaviour to the referee and crowd, after receiving the red card, only served to reinforce our view.
“His behaviour reflected poorly on the player and the game as a whole.”
Meanwhile, Bath winger Aled Brew has been given a three-week ban following his dismissal in last Saturday’s win over Northampton.
The former Wales international, who was sent off for striking George Furbank, will miss Bath’s opening Heineken Champions Cup clash with Ulster on Saturday and is free to play again from December 3.
Halloween during the Rugby World Cup:
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It might be legal but he’s sailing pretty close to the wind. Not a lot needs to go wrong for Finau to end up in the bin. Was it late? Not quite, but borderline. High? A couple of CM within the laws, no room for error with that one. Did he wrap the arms? There was a token effort to wrap one arm, the intent was clearly to hit with the shoulder. So yeah, it’s legal, just. But as we all know, a very slight change in the dynamics could easily have him seeing red. Hopefully not when it really matters.
Go to commentsYou forget this is Rassie Erasmus who is still holding the Springbok keys. Even with Felix Jones orchestrating a really tight RWC SF last year. It still wasn't enough to get England past their particular Springbok Monkey in world cups. The reason is FJ was going off of what they did in 2019 not necessarily adapting to current Springboks. So yes, Australia can get passed England because let's be honest, England have a one track strategy, Springboks do not. Even with rush defense I wouldn't be surprised if Rassie continually tweaks it. Also bear in mind Rassie is happy to sacrifice a few mid year and inter World Cup matches to pin point how opposition plays and how to again tweak strategies to get his Springboks in peak performance for the next World Cup. As much as most teams like to win games in front of them and try to win everything, Rassie always makes sure to learn and train for the greatest showdown International Rugby has to offer. Tbh, most people remember World Cup wins and ignore intermediate losses as a result but will remember also WC losses, Ireland, even if they won games in the interim. So even if games are won against the Springboks, it's likely Rassie is just getting a feel for how opposition is moving and adapt accordingly…in time. For Rassie, a loss is never a loss because he uses it as a chance to learn and improve. Sometimes during a game, again like the England match in last year's Semi Final.
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