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Wallabies star slapped with lengthy Super Rugby ban

Australia hooker Tolu Latu. Photo / Getty Images.

Waratahs hooker Tolu Latu has been hit with a six week ban for a dangerous play in his side’s tight 31-30 win over the Sunwolves in Tokyo on Saturday.

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The Wallabies rake pleaded guilty for dangerous play in the 79th minute of that match, which left opposition loose forward Ed Quirk with an injured knee.

The ban means Latu will not be available for selection for New South Wales until April 27, when his side hosts the Sharks in Sydney.

“Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles and additional evidence, including from the player and submissions from his legal representative, Hugh Sommerville, the Foul Play Review Committee upheld the citing under Law 9.20a,” SANZAAR’s Adam Casselden said.

“With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a top-end entry point of 10 weeks due to the vulnerability of the victim, the gravity of the offence and the extent of the injury caused to the victim.

“However, taking into account mitigating factors including Player’s expressed remorse, the fact his most recent Judicial offence was 3 years ago and the player’s guilty plea at the first available opportunity, the Foul Play Review Committee reduced the suspension to 6 weeks.

“The player is therefore suspended for 6 weeks, up to and including Saturday 20 April 2019.”

Damian Fitzpatrick will be expected to fill the starting hooker role for the Waratahs in Latu’s absence, but the latter’s World Cup chances may have taken a significant blow as a result of his growing disciplinary record.

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Nickers 19 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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