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Five tries and a five-week ban - all from one game
The Queensland Reds are reeling after try-scoring machine Filipo Daugunu copped a five-match ban for a dangerous tackle.
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The Fijian winger has had the book thrown at him after his five-try display in the Reds’ 57-5 trial win over Melbourne Rebels at Gladstone in regional Queensland last week.
Daugunu emerged as a strike weapon for Queensland ahead of the 2020 Super Rugby season with his remarkable display against an admittedly understrength Rebels line-up.
He tore apart a Melbourne outfit without Wallabies stars Reece Hodge, Matt Toomua, Marika Koroibete, Isi Naisarani, Dane Haylett-Petty and Angus Cottrell.
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Remarkably Daugunu notched his hat-trick by the 36th minute and had his fifth inside 50 with a long-range second-half effort.
However, the Reds will now start the season without an offensive threat after Daugunu’s dangerous tackle in the 75th minute.
Judicial officer Adam Casselden announced Daugunu’s ban on Wednesday after the Reds flyer entered a guilty plea.
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“The Judicial Officer assessed the breach as meriting a mid-range entry point, which carries a 10-week suspension, however Daugunu received the full 50 per cent reduction available under World Rugby regulations due to his early guilty plea, remorse and other mitigating factors,” a release said.
“He is available to play again in round five of the 2020 Super Rugby season.”
Queensland complete their pre-season with a clash against the NSW Waratahs on Friday at Dalby.
Michael Hooper has made the decision to stand down as Waratahs captain after serving in the role since early-2016:
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