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Australian winger Reece Hodge faces a ban for foul play against Fiji. He has been cited by John Montgomery (Scotland) for an act of foul play contrary to Law 9.13 (dangerous tackle) in the 25th minute of Australia’s RWC 2019 Pool D match against Fiji on 21 September.
The incident was above the red card threshold though referee Paul O’Keeffe (New Zealand) as well assistants Luke Pearce (England), and Andrew Brace (Ireland) and TMO Rowan Kitt (England) deemed it not be so during the match.
The Australian’s shoulder made contact to the head of Peceli Yato in a no arms tackle. The Fijian would be forced off through injury from the incident. Hodge would remain on and would score a try ten minutes after the foul play occurred.
Fiji had been leading 21-14 at one stage. Had Australia played with 14-men based on Hodge having been red carded then the result may have been different.
Hodge will attend a hearing before an independent judicial committee chaired by Nigel Hampton, QC (New Zealand), former international coach Frank Hadden (Scotland) and former referee José Luis Rolandi (Argentina). The hearing will take place in Tokyo with the date and time to be confirmed shortly.
