He might have been suspended but Wallabies winger Filipo Daugunu is set to be free to take on the Springboks in Brisbane on August 10 – and the decision could put Marika Koroibete’s recall hopes on ice.
Daugunu was shown an upgraded red card during the Wallabies’ 40-29 win over Georgia on Saturday in an incident Joe Schmidt termed “unlucky”.
The in-form winger collided with Demur Tapladze in the 36th minute, as his leg collided with the Georgian winger’s head after attempting a charge down.
Filipo Daugunu was suspended for three matches but can play the Springboks if he goes to tackle school after a red card against Georgia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
After the TMO interjected, on-field referee James Doleman deemed the incident was worthy of a yellow card before it was upgraded to a red card.
“He gets a finger to the ball,” Schmidt said in his post-match press conference. “It’s a partial charge down, but it’s one of those risk-reward situations.”
On Wednesday, a World Rugby panel determined the incident had contravened Law 9.13 that “players must not do anything that is reckless or dangerous”.
The independent Disciplinary Committee, which was chaired by Michael Heron KC, considered the appropriate entry point for the offending and decided that the offence warranted the mandatory mid-end entry point for offending involving contact with the head of 6 matches.
However, after taking in the mitigation involved it determined to cut the suspension in half.
In addition, a third match was removed if the player completed the World Rugby Coaching Intervention for Sanction Mitigation.
Should, as expected, Daugunu successfully complete the tackle school process, Daugunu will miss Sunnybank’s next two matches in Queensland’s Hospital Cup and be free to take on Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks at Suncorp Staidum.
Former Wallabies playmaker Matt To’omua questioned the validity of the upgraded red card, saying it was merely a “rugby incident”.
“I thought it was an awful red card,” To’omua told The Roar Rugby podcast.
“For me, red cards there has to be some level of poor intent or poor technique. I think some people have said that he actually touched the ball. In my view, it’s a clear rugby incident. I thought it was really poor.”
The decision to free Duagunu could impact whether Schmidt calls up two-time John Eales Medallist Koroibete.
The first year Wallabies head coach is strongly considering not calling up any players from overseas for the TRC.
The Roar was told that 2023 Wallabies World Cup captain Will Skelton was a “50-50” proposition of being called up while Koroibete was a “strong chance” but might not be called up if Daugunu was cleared to play.
