Samoa hooker Motu Matu'u will miss the final two Pool A matches and a potential quarter-final at the Rugby World Cup after his three-match suspension for a dangerous high tackle was upheld, a judicial committee said on Tuesday.
Samoa centre Rey Lee-lo and Matu'u were both suspended for three games for high tackles on Russia captain Vasily Artemyev during their opening Pool A match last week.
Matu'u was initially eligible to play in the quarter-finals if Samoa qualified, but since he was ruled out injured for their second game against Scotland, the three-match ban has now been carried forward.
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/ManuSamoa?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ManuSamoaon the training field at Awaji Sano Sports Park #RWC2019 pic.twitter.com/peTOH7KCOH
— Manu Samoa Rugby (@manusamoa)
"Matu'u will miss Samoa's final two pool matches and the quarter-final should Samoa progress, or his next scheduled match with his club London Irish on Oct. 26," the committee said in a statement.
"The suspension will therefore end at midnight after the Rugby World Cup 2019 quarter-finals if Samoa qualify or at midnight on Oct. 26 if Samoa do not qualify for the quarter-finals, after which he is free to resume playing."
Samoa are currently fourth in Pool A with five points, behind leaders Japan (nine points), Ireland and Scotland (both six points). They play hosts Japan on Saturday and Ireland a week later.
Reuters