Updated: Hunter Paisami might have escaped punishment against Moana Pasifika, but the Queensland and Wallabies centre has been hit with a three-week ban for his dangerous tackle during his side’s first-up 56-36 win.
Hearts were in mouths on Friday night when Paisami, who had just returned from a yellow card, clocked Moana Pasifika inside centre Lalomilo Lalomilo high out wide in the 30th minute.
Although Lalomilo cut back off his left foot and was low, it would have surprised no one if Paisami received another yellow card given World Rugby’s desire to come down hard on any dangerous play.
He didn’t despite the TMO and on-field referee Paul Williams looking at the incident closely.
But the Super Rugby Citing Commissioner disagreed and on Tuesday morning Paisami was found guilty, with his shot deemed to be a mid-range entry point of six weeks.
Interestingly, the Foul Play Review Committee however cut the sanction from six to three weeks because of “mitigating factors such as an exemplary disciplinary record”.
Paisami will also be allowed to attend a World Rugby sanctioned tackle school, which will allow the Test midfielder to only miss the crucial away trips to Perth to take on the Western Force and Christchurch to play the Crusaders.
Queensland Reds hun Hunter Paisami has been cited for a dangerous shot against Moana Pasifika. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
The tackle has divided the rugby community with former Wallaby turned respected pundit Morgan Turinui questioning the ban.
“I think he’s getting more than a couple,” Turinui said on Stan Sport’s Between two Posts. “He’ll go in at six weeks and he won’t get much off.
“The fact it is the citing officer, it’s not the referees, the information I’m getting is that they’re pretty happy with their on-field decision.
“It is forceful, dangerous, high contact, but I don’t think it is foul play. There’s a huge late dip in height to not far off the ground.
“Hunter Paisami’s shoulders are way low with his hips, he’s bent at the hips, he’s bent at the knees, he’s trying to save a try, he’s in a really safe space to try and make a tackle where the late dip, unfortunately, means there’s head contact.
“I am very surprised the citing officer has cited Hunter Paisami, but the fact that it has been done means it’s going to be hard to get out of.”
Hunter Paisami will miss at least two matches for the Reds. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
The ban is a blow for Reds coach Les Kiss because if there’s a position the Super Rugby side is thin in it’s at inside centre, especially with Isaac Henry still making his way back from a season-ending injury last year.
Dre Pakeho, who made his presence felt against Wales and Tonga last July during a couple of exhibition matches for the Reds, could make his Super Rugby debut in Paisami is suspended.
Alternatively, Kiss could earn shift Josh Flook to inside centre and hard-hitting outside back Filipo Daugunu to outside centre.
Meanwhile, Highlanders replacement prop Daniel Lienert-Brown will fight his charge on Tuesday after being shown an upgraded red card in his side’s incredible win over the Blues at home.
Lienert-Brown was cited for his dangerous cleanout midway through the second half.
