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Reece Hodge cited for high tackle

22nd September, 2019
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22nd September, 2019
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Australian winger Reece Hodge has been officially cited by World Rugby for a tackle which left Fijian Paceli Yato concussed during the Wallabies opening game of the World Cup, which they won by 18 points over the Pacific Island nation.

The tackle (which can be seen in the video player above), was called a try-saver at the time, however, Hodge appears to have made contact to the head of Yato, while different camera angles also show that he may have made no attempt to wrap the right arm in the tackle.

This is directly against the rules of World Rugby, and while Hodge was able to stay on the field during the game without receiving either a yellow or red card, aiding the Wallabies to victory, he may not be so lucky in his quest to line up for their next game of the campaign, which will be played against Wales.

Hodge will front a three-man hearing at a time and date yet to be confirmed in Tokyo.

The panel will be made up of chairman Nigel Hampton, QC (New Zealand), former international coach Frank Hadden (Scotland) and former referee José Luis Rolandi (Argentina).

According to an official World Rugby statement, Hodge was cited for “an act of foul play contrary to Law 9.13 (dangerous tackle).”

Given Yato had started the game strongly for Fiji, it was a big blow to the side when he couldn’t return after his HIA, and it’s understood they referred the tackle to the citing commissioner following fulltime on Saturday.

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