Samoan Winger Alesana Tuilagi has been handed a five-match ban following an incident in his side’s World Cup fixture against Japan.
Yahoo Sports reports that the 34-year-old has been slapped with a five-week suspension after Tuilagi was cited for kneeing Japan player Harumichi Tatekawa in the second minute of the game. His side went on to win the game 26-5.
Initially, the Samoan denied foul play but Antony Davies, a judicial officer, rewatched the footage of the incident and deemed the offence serious enough to impose the ban. As a result, the Samoan will miss his nation’s upcoming clash with Scotland as well as the opening fixture of his domestic campaign with Newcastle Falcons.
The ban was initially set for eight weeks but was reduced after Tuilagi’s co-operation and professionalism when dealing with the incident. World Rugby claims that the ban was also reduced as a result of Tuilagi’s “good character and record over a long career.”
Tuilagi will be disappointed to have conceded such a cheap foul with his experience and will be even more disappointed not to be able to feature for Samoa against Scotland.
