all
Set small text size
all
Set default text size
all
Set large font size
He may have been suspended, but Wallabies winger Filippo Daugnu will be fit to play against the Springboks in Brisbane on August 10, a decision that could dash Marika Koroibete’s recall hopes.
Daugnu was shown an upgraded red card in the Wallabies’ 40-29 win over Georgia on Saturday, an incident Joe Schmidt described as “unfortunate”.
The winger, who is in good form, collided with Demur Tapladze in the 36th minute, as his leg collided with the Georgian winger’s head while attempting a breakthrough.
Filippo Daugnu has been banned for three games but will play for the Springboks if he goes to tackling school after being sent off against Georgia. (Photo: Jason McCoury/Getty Images)
After the TMO intervened, on-field referee James Dolman deemed the incident worthy of a yellow card before it was upgraded to a red card.
“He’s got his finger on the ball,” Schmidt said in his postgame press conference. “It’s a partial charge down, but it’s one of those risk-reward situations.”
On Wednesday, a World Rugby panel ruled the incident breached Law 9.13, which states that “players must not engage in reckless or dangerous conduct”.
The Independent Disciplinary Committee, chaired by Michael Herron KC, considered appropriate entry points for misconduct and decided that a mandatory mid-to-end entry point was warranted for head contact misconduct in all six games.
However, after considering mitigation measures, we decided to cut the suspension period in half.
Additionally, a third match was ruled out if the player had completed World Rugby coaching intervention to seek relief from sanctions.
If Daugunu successfully completes his Tackle School course as expected, he will miss Sunnybank’s next two games in the Queensland Hospitals Cup and will be available to play against Lassie Erasmus’ Springboks at Suncorp Stadium.
Former Wallabies playmaker Matt Tomua has questioned the validity of the upgraded red card, saying it was just a “rugby incident”.
“I thought it was a terrible red card,” Toumua told The Roar Rugby podcast.
“For me a red card is a bit of a bad intention or bad technique. I think some people said he actually touched the ball. I think it was a clear rugby incident. I think it was really bad.”
The decision to release Duagunu could influence whether Schmidt calls up Koroibete, a two-time John Earls Medal winner.
The Wallabies’ first-year coach is strongly considering not calling up any overseas players for the TRC.
The Roar say there is a “50-50” chance that Wallabies 2023 World Cup captain Will Skelton will be called up, while Koroibete is “likely” but may not be called up if Daugunu is available.
