Fijian winger Eroni Sau will not be part of the Vodafone Flying Fijians side for their final Test match against Georgia this Sunday after receiving a 5-week ban from World Rugby’s Independent Disciplinary Committee.
Sau was handed a red card during their 38-23 loss to Wales for a swinging arm to the head of Johnny Williams.
According to World Rugby, the 31-year-old accepted that he had made direct contact to the head of his opponent but denied that he had committed an act of foul play.
The independent Disciplinary Committee chaired by Pamela Woodman (Scotland), joined by former international coach Frank Hadden (Scotland) and former international Martyn Wood (England), heard the case, considering all the available evidence, including multiple broadcast angles and submissions from the player and his representative.
The committee did not find that the referee’s decision was wrong and so the red card was upheld.
Sau has the right of appeal within 48 hours of the issuing of the full written decision.
Fiji will meet Georgia at 2.30am Sunday.
In other Test matches, Scotland will face Japan at 1am Sunday, England will take on South Africa at 3.15am Sunday, the Wallabies face Wales at 5.30am Sunday, the All Blacks meet France at 8am Sunday and Ireland will play Argentina at 2.15am Monday.
[Source: WorldRugby]
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