French stars ban
France lock Sébastien Vahaamahina has received a six-week suspension for striking Welsh flanker Aaron Wainwright in the jaw with his elbow in last weekend’s Rugby World Cup quarterfinals.
Vahaamahina was sent off in the second half when France were leading 19-10 and it proved costly as Wales fought back to win 20-19 in Oita.
After announcing his retirement from international rugby following France’s exit from the World Cup, he attended his disciplinary hearing in Tokyo on Thursday and the red card shown by Jaco Peyper was upheld.
World Rugby said in a statement that Vahaamahina’s act of foul play was considered the top end of offending and the starting point for his ban was 10 weeks, but it was reduced to six because of his ‘‘early and full acknowledgment of his conduct and prompt apology to his opponent’’.
Vahaamahina became the eighth player red carded in Japan – a World Cup record – and his suspension is the second most severe punishment of the tournament after Tonga hooker Paula Ngauamo’s sevenweek ban for kicking a United States player in the head.
‘‘Vahaamahina admitted the act of foul play, that he had contacted his opponent’s head intentionally and accepted that it warranted a red card,’’ World Rugby said. ‘‘The committee considered that the terms of High Tackle Sanction Framework were relevant and accepted the player’s admission that: ‘‘There was a strike There was direct contact between the player’s elbow and Aaron Wainwright’s jaw. There are no mitigating factors.’’
‘‘Vahaamahina will miss his next six matches with his club Clermont Auvergne. Therefore the player is free to play again on 16 December, 2019.’’