BRISBANE, Australia – Australian men’s national rugby union team, the Wallabies, have been dealt a late selection blow after rising star lock Miles Amatosero accepted a three-week suspension for committing dangerous foul play during last weekend’s 35-32 test victory over Japan in Osaka.
The incident occurred in the closing minutes of the first half, when match officials reviewed Amatosero’s action during a maul clean-out. After slow-motion replay analysis, the video assistant referee ruled Amatosero’s left shoulder made illegal, high contact with the Japanese opponent’s head, resulting in an immediate red card being issued to the young forward.
On Tuesday, a southern hemisphere rugby judiciary panel announced the official suspension following a disciplinary hearing. The ban covers three key upcoming matches for Amatosero: this Saturday’s return test against Japan, a club fixture for Sydney-based side Gordon in the Shute Shield competition, and Australia’s Rugby Championship test against Argentina scheduled for August 29.
However, the judiciary offered a path to early reinstatement for the final fixture. Amatosero has been granted approval to participate in World Rugby’s Coaching Intervention Program, which can substitute the remaining portion of his suspension and clear him to feature against Argentina if he completes the required program modules.
Standing at 203 centimeters (6-foot-8), Amatosero is one of Australian rugby’s most promising young prospects. He earned his first senior test cap just last month, featuring in Joe Schmidt’s final match as Wallabies head coach against Italy. He was then selected to start in last weekend’s Osaka test, which marked Les Kiss’ first fixture in charge as the new interim head coach of the national side.