- Darcy Taimua Swain banned for six weeks after his charge into knee of Quinn Tupaea.
- New Zealand center to miss nine months of play.
- Sanzaar determined that the occurrence was “extremely reckless” rather than “intentionally”.
Darcy Taimua Swain, a lock for Australia, received a six-week suspension for charging into Quinn Tupaea’s knee, which caused the New Zealand center to miss nine months of play.
The All Blacks were standing over a breakdown when 25-year-old Swain smashed his shoulder into Tupaea’s leg during Australia’s 39-37 loss to New Zealand on September 15.
Sanzaar determined that the occurrence was “extremely reckless” rather than “intentionally”.
The Australia A team that will play three games against Japan in October has chosen Swain.
He is no longer allowed to play in those games, the Rugby Championship semifinal rematch against New Zealand this weekend, or the Wallabies’ tour games against Scotland and France on October 29 and November 5, respectively.
Swain was given a yellow card for the on-field incident before referees felt it warranted a red and forwarded it for review after the game.
Coach for Australia Dave Rennie said, “Darcy’s not happy with the result [of what he did] and he’s been punished. “Six weeks is a severe sentence, in my opinion, and appropriate.”
Swain’s clean-out received harsh criticism from New Zealand.
Ian Foster, the All Blacks’ head coach, claimed it was “a huge issue” for his side.
Beauden Barrett, the playwright, called Tupaea “a sitting duck.”
“It was somewhat of an open field. We detest seeing these kinds of wounds, “Added he.
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