SCHMIDT SWEATS ON OUTCOME
Joe Schmidt has admitted he would be “pretty disappointed” if Bundee Aki’s red card against Samoa rules him out of the rest of the World Cup.
Ireland thumped Samoa 47-5 in Fukuoka to book their place in the quarterfinals, but Aki was sent off for a high tackle on UJ Seuteni and could now receive a suspension to end his tournament.
New Zealand-born to Samoan parents, Aki was “devastated” by his red card, according to Ireland head coach Schmidt.
Samoa boss Steve Jackson pledged to make whatever representations necessary to help Aki avoid a ban, insisting the red card should prove punishment enough.
Connacht star Aki returned to the pitch at the final whistle, mingling with his close friends in the Samoa line-up – but Ireland boss Schmidt knows that could prove his final appearance of the competition.
“I spoke to Steve Jackson; he’s obviously suffered from a couple of red cards or citings from his players in this tournament,” said Schmidt.
“It’s a really tough situation. Bundee is upright; you can see both his hands behind the shoulder blades of the player who is just starting to come up.
“And it’s all split-second stuff. So we live in hope, and 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. We know it’s a very hard line.
“I certainly feel for Bundee; he’s pretty devastated that any further participation in the tournament is now at risk.”
Asked for his take on Jackson’s pledge to help Aki avoid suspension, Schmidt continued: “I think Steve was a good player himself, he’s coached Super Rugby and for some time, he knows the game well.
“And we’d both be pretty disappointed if Bundee does get ruled out of the rest of the tournament on the back of that tackle.
“And I do genuinely say tackle, because that’s what it was.
“But there is a very hard line being taken and we will just have to accept whatever decision is made by the judiciary.”