Nov 14,2024
Fiji winger Semi Radradra will miss this month's internationals against Spain and Ireland after being handed a three-week ban on Tuesday for his red card in Sunday's 24-19 win over Wales.
Radradra, whose ban could be reduced to two weeks if he takes part in World Rugby's coaching intervention programme, became the first player to be sent off under the new 20-minute red card rule as his yellow card was upgraded soon after to red for a high hit on Wales full-back Cameron Winnett (below).
Under the new rule, a team loses a player for 20 minutes before he can be replaced by a substitute.
"The Disciplinary Committee determined that the mid-range entry point of six weeks was appropriate with the full 50% mitigation applied, based on a clean disciplinary record and having shown remorse, reducing the sanction to three weeks," Six Nations Rugby said in a statement.
Fiji face Spain on Saturday before taking on Ireland a week later.
The 32-year-old Radradra, capped 21 times by Fiji, could return to action for his club Lyon against Pau on 30 November if he takes part in the coaching intervention programme.
Elsewhere, flanker Sam Cane (above) and winger Mark Tele'a have been ruled out due to injury from the All Blacks squad for Saturday's Test against France.
Cane sustained a head cut during the recent win over Ireland and will need to undergo Head Injury Assessment protocols, while Tele'a is dealing with an injury to his hand.
Shadow All Blacks XV captain Du'Plessis Kirifi will join the team, along with winger Chay Fihaki and lock Fabian Holland, who replaces Sam Darry following the latter's season-ending knee injury.
New Zealand will face France on Saturday at Stade de France.
