Wallabies winger Reece Hodge will miss Sunday’s vital showdown against Wales after receiving a three week suspension by the World Rugby judiciary for a dangerous tackle on Fiji flanker Peceli Yato.
Hodge was cited for a hit on Yato in the 25th minute of their World Cup opener and faced a tribunal today. He fronted a World Rugby judicial hearing in a legal office in Tokyo and the hearing went for close to four hours.
In considering all the available evidence, including multiple broadcast angles and submissions from Hodge and his legal representative, the committee deemed that the incident was an act of foul play and warranted a red card in line with the high tackle sanction framework.
The committee determined that the act of foul play warranted a red card and it was deemed the entry point for the offence was six weeks, reduced to three weeks.
The ban means Hodge will miss all three remaining pool games and will only become available to play if Australia qualify for the quarter-finals.