Alesana Tuilagi

Samoa wing Alesana Tuilagi has been suspended for 5 weeks for striking a player with his knee in their game against Japan.

It means he will not be available for Samoa’s final pool fixture against Scotland on Saturday and will not be available to turn out for his Newcastle Falcons club side before 10 November.

Tuilagi was cited for kneeing Harumichi Tatekawa in the 2nd minute of the match, won last weekend by Japan by 26 / 5.

He denied foul play. But after reviewing all camera angles the citing was upheld by judicial officer Antony Davies.

A possible ban of 8 weeks was reduced to 5 because of Tuilagi’s “impeccable conduct during the hearing, good character and record over a long career,” said a World Rugby statement.

Tuilagi’s teammate Faifili Levave is to appear before a judicial officer on Wednesday after being cited for “playing the opponent without the ball” in the same match.

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