Tonga star’s Rugby World Cup participation is over due to suspension

Tonga number eight Vaea Fifita will take no further part in the Rugby World Cup in France after he received a four-match suspension following his red card in his side’s defeat to Scotland on Sunday.

Fifita went flying into a ruck during the closing stages of the Pool B encounter in Nice, and his shoulder made contact with Scotland fly-half Finn Russell’s head.

Yellow card upgraded to red

The 31-year-old was initially shown a yellow card in the 45-17 defeat, which was upgraded to red following a review by the Foul Play Review Bunker.

The former All Black faced a disciplinary committee on Tuesday, which was chaired by Brenda Heather-Latu (Samoa), alongside former Test players Leon Lloyd (England) and Mike Mika (Samoa).

Fifita admitted to foul play at the judicial hearing but challenged the Foul Play Review Bunker official’s decision that the indiscretion warranted a red card.

However, the committee concluded that: a reckless act of foul play had occurred; head contact had occurred; the degree of danger was high; and the tackle was always illegal and, therefore mitigation was not available.

The committee started the sanction at six matches but after taking all considerations into account, including the player’s remorse and previous disciplinary record, it handed down a suspension of four matches.

Fifita will, therefore miss Tonga’s remaining Rugby World Cup games against South Africa and Romania, as well as two matches for his Welsh club side the Scarlets.

Fifita’s suspension is another setback to Tonga’s poor World Cup campaign, which has featured two heavy losses to Ireland and Scotland.

Poor discipline against Scotland

‘Ikale Tahi’s discipline let them down in the defeat to Scotland as winger Afusipa Taumoepeau was lucky to receive just a yellow card for a high tackle on Jamie Ritchie late in the first half.

Tonga came into the World Cup with high hopes due to the number of former All Blacks in their squad, with Charles Piutau, Augustine Pulu and Malakai Fekitoa also committing to the Pacific Islanders.

However, their lack of Tests against Tier-One opposition was evident in those losses to Ireland and Scotland.

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