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Aki red card for high tackle takes shine off quarter-final place as Schmidt pleads for leniency
JOE SCHMIDT wants to see leniency for red-carded Bundee Aki as Samoa backed Ireland’s call for the centre to avoid a World Cup ban.
Aki is almost certainly out of the quarter-final next weekend after referee Nic Berry sent him off for a 29th-minute high tackle on Ulupano Seuteni in the seven-try victory. But opposition coach Steve Jackson pledged support for Aki, who is of Samoan descent. “We’ll do everything we possibly can to make sure that he gets on that field next week,” said Jackson.
Schmidt added: “We’d both be
Ireland 47 Samoa 5 Rugby World Cup, Pool A BY MICHAEL SCULLY in Fukuoka
pretty disappointed if Bundee does get ruled out on the back of that tackle.
“I do genuinely say tackle because that’s what it was. Both arms, both hands are behind the shoulders. But there’s a very hard line being taken and we’ll just have to accept whatever decision is taken by the judiciary.
“We live in hope, we’ll see what the judiciary decide but once it’s a red card you sense a loss of control over what happens next.
“No matter what you try to present, there’s a very hard line and I certainly feel for Bundee.
“He’s pretty devastated that any further participation in the tournament is now at risk.”
Ireland lock Jean Kleyn added: “It’s a split second decision and literally just a difference between dropping a few inches.
“Obviously Bundee’s gutted. We’re gutted for him because that’s essentially his tournament done. It’s just bad.”