‘Ikale Tahi center and former All Black, George Moala’s hopes for representing Tonga in the World Cup competition this September, have been dashed, after he received a five-match suspension from World Rugby in a decision published on 15 August. The matches to which the sanction applies is to be confirmed.

Moala received a red card for a dangerous tackle in during the international test match between Tonga and Canada on Thursday, 10 August in Nuku'alofa. Referee Jordan Way sent Moala off shortly after half-time for a dangerous tackle on Canada’s Ben LeSage.

The Tongan centre was judged to have lifted his opposition midfielder above the horizontal, with LeSage landing shoulder first into the turf. Referee Way explained that there was no mitigation and duly issued the red card.

World Rugby reported that Moala appeared before an independent judicial committee on Monday, 14 August, having received a red card for an offence contrary to Law 9.18 (A player must not lift an opponent off the ground and drop or drive that player so that their head and/or upper body make contact with the ground).

The independent Disciplinary Committee was chaired by Stephen Hardy (Australia), joined by former player Stefan Terblanche (South Africa) and former international referee Valeriu Toma (Romania).

“The player accepted that foul play occurred and that the offending warranted a red card. The Committee considered the Player’s submissions as to entry point along with all other evidence and decided that the offence warranted a mid-range sanction (ten matches). Having considered the mitigating factors, the Committee decided to reduce the sanction by the maximum mitigation of 50 per cent. The matches to which the sanction applies is to be confirmed.”

The player has the right of appeal within 48 hours of the issuing of the full written decision.

Moala has had a clean record until last week

Unhappy

Meanwhile, some teammates and fans are unhappy with the suspension of Moala, comparing it to, possibly, a similar incident where English player Owen Farrell was red carded and reprieved.

Planet Rugby Journalist, Jared Wright stated in a tweet "Owen Farrell has been cleared to play immediately after the disciplinary panel rescinded his red card against Wales. Farrell acknowledged that whilst he had committed an act of foul play, he denied that the act was worthy of a red card."

To which former New Zealand Seven international, Pita Ahki took to X (twitter) to express his thoughts.

“Exactly George Moala has a clear record and World Ruby has given him 10 weeks for a tip tackle? This guy has had how many red cards and gets off clean? How? ... this p***es me off.”

In fact, Moala was suspended for five matches because the Committee decided to reduce the sanction by 50 per cent.

https://www.world.rugby/news/832645/independent-disciplinary-update-george-moala-tonga [2]