World Rugby (WR) has published a disciplinary update regarding 3 Samoan players.Centres Rey Lee-Lo and front rower Motu Matu’u were yellow carded and winger Ed Fidow was involved in a scrap during Manu Samoa’s first match against Russia.The World Rugby announcement states that, “Manu Samoa centre Rey Lee-Lo and hooker Motu Matu’u have been cited for acts of foul play contrary to Law 9.13 (dangerous high tackle) in Samoa’s Rugby World Cup 2019 match against Russia on 24 September”.
There has been no information so far, however, about Russia’s Kirill Gotovtsev who was also yellow carded for a high tackle on Afaesetiti Amosa. Kirill Gotovtsev tackled Amosa around the neck pulling him down awkwardly and caused a serious knee injury that has brought an early end to world cup campaign for Samoa’s power No8.Russian prop Kirill Gotovtsev yellow carded for high tackle on AmosaAccording to the WR announcement the players and their representatives will attend hearings in Tokyo on a date to be agreed before an independent Judicial Committee.The JC will be chaired by Wang Shao Ing, a Singapore lawyer and former international player and joined by former international Australian international John Langford and Olly Kohn of Wales.World Rugby have also handed down a Citing Commissioner Warning for Samoa winger Ed Fidow for an act of foul play contrary to Law 9.12 (punching or striking) in the same match. “This remains on his disciplinary record in the event that he accumulates any combination of three warnings or yellow cards during the tournament”, reads the announcement.
There has been no information so far, however, about Russia’s Kirill Gotovtsev who was also yellow carded for a high tackle on Afaesetiti Amosa. The Russians high tackle pulling Amosa down around the neck caused a serious knee injury that has brought an early end to RWC campaign for the power No8
BJ is a junior reporter studying Commerce at Waikato University and plays rugby for Marist Hamilton. He is a youth group member of Apia Harvest Centre in Apia, and Arise Church in Hamilton.
