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Bundee Aki is shown the red card
Bundee Aki is shown the red card

Rugby World Cup 2019: Ireland centre Bundee Aki to miss rest of the tournament after red card against Samoa


Bundee Aki will miss the rest of the World Cup after receiving a three-match ban for his red card against Samoa.

The Ireland centre was sent off in the 47-5 Pool A win over the Samoans in Fukuoka on Saturday for a high tackle on UJ Seuteni.

Aki faced a disciplinary hearing in Tokyo on Monday night, contesting the red-card decision in a bid to be available for Saturday's quarter-final against New Zealand.

But the 29-year-old failed in that quest and was hit with a three-week ban, which would rule him out of the final should Ireland make it that far.

"The player sought to overturn the red card," read a World Rugby statement, confirming the three-week suspension.

"Having considered all the angles of the incident, together with evidence from the player and his representatives, the committee upheld the decision of the referee."

Take a look at the Rugby World Cup quarter-final line-up
Take a look at the Rugby World Cup quarter-final line-up

The independent disciplinary committee of Adam Casselden, Frank Hadden and Valeriu Toma rejected Aki and Ireland's attempts to have the red card rescinded.

Aki would have been pushing hard for a start in Saturday's New Zealand clash, but his absence could pave the way for fit-again Robbie Henshaw to partner Garry Ringrose in midfield.

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