Rugby Australia is set to appeal the one-game ban handed down to Wallabies and NSW Waratahs star Israel Folau after he was cited for making contact in the air during the third Test against Ireland.
A World Rugby judicial hearing in Sydney on Wednesday night handed down the suspension, which means Folau will miss Friday night’s Super Rugby clash with the Melbourne Rebels at AAMI Park.
RA and Folau have made no official comment but they’ve indicated they are set to appeal the ban and hope to have the matter heard on Thursday morning or Friday.
The fullback was controversially cited following the Sydney Test after he made contact during an aerial contest in the ninth minute with Ireland skipper Peter O’Mahony, who was lifted by a teammate and landed awkwardly.
The citing commissioner, New Zealand’s Michael O’Leary, said Folau had “placed his left hand on O’Mahony’s chest”, which had pulled the flanker “over and he toppled to the ground.”
The World Rugby judicial panel consisted of Shao Wang (chair, Singapore), Val Toma (Romania) and Eroni Clarke (NZ). Folau was represented by Steve Cottrell.
The star 15 was also given a yellow card for a similar contest with O’Mahony in the 31st minute.
Earlier on Wednesday, Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson said the outcome of the hearing might have implications for the aerial contest in rugby.
Gibson said the rules might need to be changed if Folau was banned.
“I hope it doesn’t because that’s the element of rugby that’s important, that there is a kick and there is a fair contest for the ball,” Gibson said on Wednesday morning.
The Waratahs Head Coach referenced AFL’s ability to showcase the marking contest rather than over-sanctioning it.
“I don’t think in AFL they’ve got any particular rules governing that contest and so that’s why for me it’s really interesting, in terms of that law and what happens and the implications of what happens if he does get a sanction.”
“I believe if he does get some time, there’s some real implications around the law-making process going forward,” he said.
“It really makes us look at the kick contest area and exactly how we can provide a law that provides for what is happening in terms of the collisions and guys landing on their heads.”