Bundee Aki slapped with 4-week ban

Ireland centre Bundee Aki has been banned for 4 games following his dangerous tackle on Billy Vunipola during the Six Nations England clash at the weekend.

The red card had been issued for an infringement of Law 9.13 (Dangerous play during a tackle.  A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously. Dangerous tackling includes, but is not limited to, tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent above the line of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders.

Aki accepted that he had committed the act of foul play alleged (a dangerous tackle) and that it had warranted a red card.

The Disciplinary Committee accepted Aki’s explanation of the incident and that his intention had been to perform a legitimate tackle. The Disciplinary Committee considered that, in the dynamic of the tackle, Aki had made contact with his opponent just “inches too high”. The Disciplinary Committee accepted that Aki’s actions had been reckless rather than deliberate or intentional.

The Disciplinary Committee determined the offence to warrant a mid-range entry point (which would have been its determination in any event, notwithstanding that the head contact involved in the foul play meant that a mid-range entry point was the mandatory minimum under World Rugby’s regulations).

The entry point was six weeks. The Disciplinary Committee identified no aggravating features.