The Wallabies are facing a Bledisloe Cup centre crisis after Hunter Paisami was cited by SANZAAR for a dangerous tackle in Sunday’s 42-38 win over South Africa, with two-try hero Len Ikitau also in doubt after leaving Optus Stadium with an ankle injury.
Paisami cited for high tackle
Paisami was yellow-carded in the 76th minute for a high shot on Springboks playmaker Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu during Australia’s chaotic finish in Perth, as covered in TSB’s match report. Rugby.com.au reported that SANZAAR has cited the Wallabies centre, with the foul play review process treating the contact as meeting the red-card threshold.
Nine’s Sam Worthington quoted a SANZAAR statement saying the matter will be considered by the foul play review committee on the evening of Tuesday, 29 September. For the case to be finished at that hearing, Paisami must accept that foul play occurred, that the red-card threshold was met, and the penalty proposed by the committee. SANZAAR said a further update would be provided on Wednesday, 30 September (Nine.com.au).
A suspension would put Paisami under a cloud for the Bledisloe Cup opener against the All Blacks at Eden Park on 10 October, with the return Test in Sydney on 17 October.
Ikitau ankle injury
Ikitau scored two first-half tries before limping off in the 53rd minute with an ankle injury. Wallabies coach Les Kiss said post-match that the side still needed to assess the severity.
“We don’t know anything further other than we’ve just got to be very precautionary with it now and just see where it is,” Kiss said, according to rugby.com.au.
No scan result or confirmed diagnosis has been released. TSB will update when Rugby Australia or the club medical staff clarify Ikitau’s availability.
Centre options for the Bledisloe
If both midfielders are unavailable, Kiss would need a new centre pairing for the two-Test series. Rugby.com.au listed Isaac Henry as a squad centre option, with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii able to move back to outside centre after his first Test start on the wing in Perth. Filipo Daugunu has played centre under Kiss at club level, while further Super Rugby AUS names floated include Brumbies centre David Feliuai and Zac Lomax.
Asked whether he would keep Suaalii on the wing, Kiss said: “It’s there for us,” and added he could also play him at fullback, according to Nine.com.au.
Australia remain undefeated under Kiss after beating the world No.1 Springboks 42-38. The All Blacks will name a squad on Tuesday amid their own injury concerns, including captain Ardie Savea, Nine reported.
