Joe Schmidt remains hopeful over Bundee Aki fate

Adam Kyriacou

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt is hoping that Bundee Aki avoids a suspension following his red card against Samoa in Fukuoka on Saturday.

Aki was given his marching orders for a high tackle on UJ Seuteni in the 47-5 win, which booked their place in the World Cup quarter-finals.

But a devastated Aki could now receive a ban and Schmidt is hopeful that doesn’t happen after speaking to Samoa head coach Steve Jackson.

“I spoke to Steve Jackson; he has obviously suffered from a couple of red cards or citings from his players in this tournament,” said Schmidt.

“It’s a really tough situation. Bundee is upright; you can see both his hands behind the shoulder blades of the player who is just starting to come up.

“And it’s all split-second stuff. So we live in hope, and we’ll see what the judiciary decide.

“But once it’s a red card you sense a loss of control over what happens next, no matter what you try to present. We know it’s a very hard line.

“I certainly feel for Bundee; he’s pretty devastated that any further participation in the tournament is now at risk.”

Asked for his take on Jackson’s pledge to help Aki avoid suspension, Schmidt continued: “I think Steve was a good player himself, he’s coached Super Rugby and for some time, he knows the game well.

“And we’d both be pretty disappointed if Bundee does get ruled out of the rest of the tournament on the back of that tackle. And I do genuinely say tackle, because that’s what it was.

“But there is a very hard line being taken and we’ll just have to accept whatever decision is made by the judiciary.”

Samoa boss Jackson made an impassioned defence of Aki’s future participation in the World Cup, and will now likely make representations at any World Rugby disciplinary hearing.

“Look, I don’t know if I should really comment on it, but there were mitigating factors again,” said Jackson, of Aki’s red card.

“As you all know it’s the toss of a coin at the moment. I think Nic Berry refereed the game very well tonight.

“Bundee is a great character, he doesn’t go out there to do that tonight.

“Hopefully the powers that be see some sense and he gets to continue on in the tournament.

“He’s a great kid and he deserves it as much as anyone.

“But any contact with the head, people are being penalised. I hope no further sanction comes to him and I hope he can go further in the tournament.

“We’ll do everything we can to make sure he gets on the field next week.

“UJ came onto the ball at pace and he only had two or three metres to make the decision on what type of tackle to make.

“That’s what’s being asked of defenders now. We all know that’s extremely difficult, and so we wish him all the best.”

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Ireland