Wallabies centre Hunter Paisami has been banned after failing to successfully appeal his initial ban for a dangerous tackle in the win over South Africa.
Paisami was shown a yellow card during the latter stages of Australia’s 42-38 victory over the Springboks in Perth after his dangerous tackle on fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
The centre’s actions meant that Tom Wright’s intercept try was chalked off and while the decision was sent to be reviewed by the Foul Play Review Officer, it was not disclosed whether his sanction was upgraded to a red card during the match.
Hunter Paisami banned
However, he was cited after the match and subsequently faced a Disciplinary Committee to decide his suspension fate.
The Wallabies star was initially handed a six-match suspension for his actions, which ruled him out of the Bledisloe Cup Tests against the All Blacks this month. However, in a bid to feature in those Tests, he appealed the decision but his suspension was only reduced by two weeks.
A SANZAAR statement confirmed the verdict.
“The Disciplinary Committee has found Australian midfielder Hunter Paisami guilty of dangerous play for a contrary tackle, in breach of Law 9.13,” the statement read.
“Paisami was shown a yellow card for the dangerous play in the 76th minute and cited following the international match between Australia and South Africa at Optus Stadium, Perth.
“The Committee determined that the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of six weeks/matches.
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“In light of Paisami accepting that he committed an act of foul play, as well as mitigating factors such as his recent disciplinary record, conduct, and remorse, the Committee applied a 2 week/match reduction on the sanction.
“Paisami has been suspended from all forms of the game for four weeks.”
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The 28-year-old was included in the Wallabies squad for the Bledisloe Cup Tests pending the outcome of his disciplinary hearing but will now miss the matches at Eden Park in Auckland and Accor Stadium in Sydney.
Paisami will be replaced by Queensland Reds full-back Jock Campbell in Les Kiss’ squad for the two Tests.
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Updated Wallabies squad
Forwards: Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Bell, Josh Canham, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Massimo De Lutiis, Isaac Kailea, Toby Macpherson, Fraser McReight, Josh Nasser, Zane Nonggorr, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Billy Pollard, Aidan Ross, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Lachlan Shaw, Carlo Tizzano, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Harry Wilson
Backs: Filipo Daugunu, Ben Donaldson, Isaac Henry, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen, Ryan Lonergan, Tate McDermott, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Declan Meredith, Jordan Petaia, Harry Potter, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Kalani Thomas, Tom Wright, Jock Campbell
Injury cover: Nick Frost
Unavailable for selection: Charlie Cale, Josh Flook, Langi Gleeson, Carter Gordon, Jake Gordon, Matt Philip, Henry Robertson, Pete Samu, Blake Schoupp, Will Skelton