Brumbies number eight Ita Vaea has been suspended for a week following the tackle that left Reds winger Digby Ioane knocked out cold at Suncorp Stadium on the weekend.
The Reds were on the wrong end of a shock upset to the Brumbies, who showed the type of passion and commitment that has been mysteriously absent throughout the season. A last minute penalty by Matt Giteau – who refused to kick the ball out and gift the Reds a losing bonus point – meant the 13th place Brumbies came out 22-14 winners.
The home side suffered a bad blow earlier in the match when star winger Ioane copped a stiffarm tackle from young Ita Vaea, knocking him out before he hit the turf with a thud.
The tackle was missed at the time, much to the annoyance of the home crowd (as you’ll hear at the end of this clip), but the Brumbies loose forward was later cited and found guilty at a SANZAR judicial hearing in Brisbane. He will be out of rugby for a week.
Ioane suffered concussion but there was reportedly no further damage. He will however miss next week’s meeting with the Western Force in Perth, and is just another injury worry for the table topping side. Anthony Faingaa and Ben Lucas are other injury concerns.
“It’s a contact sport and you’re going to get damage. Unfortunately all our damage is in the backs,” said Reds coach Ewen McKenzie.
Time: 02:10
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