All Blacks lose prop for rest of 2020

THE All Blacks have suffered another setback ahead of Saturday’s Tri- Nations clash against Argentina at Bankwest Stadium with prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi ruled out for the rest of the year after being suspended for a tackle on Wallabies winger Tom Wright that was deemed dangerous.

Tu’ungafasi, pictured, was sent off and ordered to front the SANZAAR Judicial Committee after he made contact with Wright’s head in the first half of Australia’s 24- 22 win at Suncorp Stadium.

Charged with a “mid- range” foul that has an entry point sanction of six weeks, Tu’ungafasi was given a reduced ban of three matches after he pleaded guilty and his previously unblemished record was taken into consideration.

The threematch suspension rules him out of the All Blacks’ two rem a i n i n g m a t c h e s against the Pumas and means he won’t be able to play again until New Zealand’s domestic Super Rugby competition kicks off in late February.

World Rugby’s heavyhanded clampdown on high tackles has been slammed by past players claiming administrators are hopelessly out of touch with the game’s physicality, with former All Blacks winger John Kirwan taking aim. “I believe that the protocols are wrong and we need to change them,” Kirwan told New Zealand’s Sky Sports.

“We need a decision from World Rugby, but this century. Not until something else happens. Lives are at stake, people’s salaries ( are at stake).

“There’s a lot going on now in the professional sport. I think rugby league does a better job at making quick decisions.”