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Los Pumas second-rower Mariano Galarza has lost his appeal and will play no further part in the Rugby World Cup. The Gloucester forward’s claim was refused this afternoon by an Appeal Committee chaired by Prof Lorne Crerar (Scotland), sitting with Justice Graeme Mew (Canada) and Robbie Deans (New Zealand).
The Appeal Committee determined that the Judicial Officer had not erred in finding that the player had committed an act of foul play. The Appeal Committee also found that the sanction imposed by the Judicial Officer was in accordance with World Rugby’s prescribed sanctioning regime.
They found that Galarza’s acts were contrary to good sportsmanship and in breach of Law 10(4)(m). Curiously Frenchman Alexandre Flanquart was not cited for comitting a similar act against Romania last Wednesday.
The suspension will run until November 26. His loss based on suspension means he cannot be replaced. Argentina therefore cannot call upon a replacement. It leaves the team with just Matías Alemanno, Tomás Lavanini and Guido Petti as specialist second-rowers.
