The Wallabies have sent an SOS to NSW winger Peter Betham and must get creative in their midfield selection for their Test against Scotland after centre Tevita Kuridrani was slugged with a five-week ban.
In a serious blow to Australia, Kuridrani became the sixth player rubbed out of this weekend’s Murrayfield clash when he was suspended for his tip-tackle on Ireland flanker Peter O’Mahony.
The Australian Rugby Union is weighing up whether to appeal the ban but they have already called for Betham as the in-form Brumby faces an almost certain finish to his end-of-season tour.
Kuridrani’s loss leaves a massive hole in the pivotal No.13 position, especially with veteran utility back Adam Ashley-Cooper also stood down from the match.
Ashley-Cooper, who started the first seven Tests of the year at outside centre before Kuridrani took over the role, was among five players already suspended for the Scotland clash due to their late night out before the 32-15 win in Dublin last week.
With fellow starting winger Nick Cummins also banned, coach Ewen McKenzie is set to promote Joe Tomane and Chris Feauai-Sautia to his strife-torn three-quarter line.
Both would be expected to start on the wings while McKenzie, who names his team on Thursday, must make a tricky decision on who to choose at No.13.
Brumbies sharp-shooter Christian Leali’ifano, currently covering No.10 and 12 from the bench, would be the safest move but the coach could also gamble on moving freakishly talented Israel Folau from fullback, where’s he’s been a dangerous attacking weapon, or promoting Mike Harris.
Neither Leali’ifano, Harris nor Folau have played at outside centre in senior rugby – showing the need for McKenzie to be inventive at the selection table.
The coach had travelled to London with Kuridrani on Tuesday holding some hope of having him exonerated in a IRB disciplinary hearing as teammate Matt Toomua was also involved in the tackle.
But even with his previously unblemished record, judicial officer Professor Lorne Crerar issued a five-week suspension.
His ban will expire on February 16, allowing him to play in the Brumbies’ Super Rugby opener against Queensland the following weekend.
Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson and Liam Gill are the other Wallabies stood down from the Murrayfield clash, while prop Paddy Ryan will serve his one-Test ban in the final match on tour against Wales.
Mals
Guest
for once i agree with FOS ;-)
Clyde Monk
Roar Rookie
You must enjoy the shame then RoidRage.. Why else would you cheer for the Celts?
Tinfoil Hat
Guest
Good to see the IRB stamping down on this sort of dangerous play. It should have been the full 9 weeks.
Harry
Guest
11-13- 14. My mistake. The bloke at 15 is going OK! Agree on CFS. Very exciting that we will have him and Kuridrani vying for this critical spot of 13 in the coming years, however raw he is currently. The mail from Brissy is he is absolute dynamite , and from what little we've seen of him to date, that doesn't seem inaccurate.
Chan Wee
Guest
well if he is only that, couldn't they have asked Giteau to joing for the week ? or is it only players contracted to ARU who have to be there? usually during cricket tours, it is normal to draw a player from domestic league. not sure if it is done in rugger.
soapit
Guest
pretty sure he'll just be there as cover in case of another injury during the week.
DB
Guest
Tomane would defs be the best choice for 13!!
Chan Wee
Guest
"" Australia centre Tevita Kuridrani will miss the remaining November Internationals after being suspended for five weeks. Kuridrani was shown a straight red card in Australia's 32-15 win over Ireland last Saturday for a tip tackle on Peter O'Mahony. Kuridrani appeared before International Rugby Board (IRB) judicial officer Professor Lorne Crerar on Tuesday, with Crerar judging the offence to be mid-range after hearing representations from the player and viewing footage of the incident. Upholding the red card given to Kuridrani and placing the starting point for a suspension at eight weeks, Crerar added an extra week as a deterrent to others against a similar offence, but cut off four weeks in mitigation due to Kuridrani's good disciplinary record and other factors. Working around Kuridrani's playing schedule, the Brumbies back is suspended until February 16, 2014. The suspension means that the Wallabies will be without at least six players against Scotland on Saturday, with Nick Cummins, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Liam Gill, Benn Robinson and Tatafu Polota-Nau all suspended after a late-night drinking session in Dublin last week. ""
Raging Bok
Guest
The Wallaby's better win or they will bring shame on SH rugby as they usually do. Go Scotland and especially Ireland!!!!
mikeylives
Guest
As I understand it, these sorts of bans are routinely dished out for tip tackles - it's very fashionable to label "going past the horizontal" attempted murder. In reality, there was no malice or harm done, and he did pull out. It was more a technical slip up than sinister foul play such as biting, gouging or head stomping. Irb needs to review this sort of disproportionate bs.
Silver_Sovereign
Guest
ridiculous decision, shouldn't have even been a red card during the match itself. A shame for Aussie fans, I loved watching Kuridrani play. He was getting more and more confident every week
Sandy B
Guest
I found not the report but details on the ABC websiite - here is the relevant extract: Australian centre Kuridrani appeared before IRB judicial officer Professor Lorne Crerar in London on Tuesday afternoon (local time). Representations were made by Kuridrani and on the 22-year-old's behalf. But Crerar, having studied video footage of the incident, upheld the red card issued by New Zealand referee Chris Pollock seven minutes from time at Dublin's Lansdowne Road. Crerar decided Kuridrani's offence should be classed as a 'mid-range' offence warranting an eight-week ban and then added a further week as a deterrent. But he then deducted four weeks to reflect the eight-times capped Kuridrani's previously good disciplinary record and other mitigating factors to leave the player with a five-week suspension. Kuridrani's future playing schedule was also taken into account and his ban will expire on February 16. The Wallabies may appeal the ban which will also see the Brumbies centre miss Super Rugby trial games but he will be free to play in round one against Queensland.
Lostintokyo
Guest
Ella rated CFS the best schoolboy player he has seen supposedly. Give him a run rather than play someone else out of position. Heavens it could be a destiny moment.
Hopperdoggy
Guest
I take it as a clear indication that Link is going to slot CFS into 13 and wants another winger to fill the void. Cummins & Tomane are the only specialist wingers on tour, with AAC obviously intended to cover 13
Albo
Guest
The call for Betham must mean CFS is 13. Surely. I would feel a hundred times more comfortable with that than anything else. That being said why Betham? Why not Horne or Inman? We don't need much, just someone who can back up as a 13, won't be found out positionally and can tackle. We've got plenty of other flair. I think CFS is such a talent though. I really hope he gets a shot.
Markus
Guest
As harsh as that sounds, it is a fair point. If Scotland are going to beat the Wallabies, you can be fairly confident it's not going to be through the outside backs. Which further begs the question as to why bother sending an SOS out to another winger.
Big Dan
Guest
Ridiculous penalty.It looked to me that Kuidrani realised the tackle was going wrong and put the Irish player down as gently as he could in that situation. That's how I saw it from the comfort of my arm chair.One week would have been my verdict
Bazza Allblack Supporter
Roar Rookie
It's only bloody Scotland - why are people worried, play link.
formeropenside
Guest
Should have been Taps.
Wozza
Guest
Foley would be interesting. Could get found out though