Replacement lock Josh Larsen has been suspended for three weeks after receiving a red card during Canada’s 66-7 defeat by the Springboks on Tuesday.
Larsen attended a disciplinary hearing in Tokyo before an independent judicial committee on Thursday, after a dangerous cleanout on Springbok prop Thomas du Toit.
Larsen conceded that he had made contact with Du Toit’s head and neck and accepted that the act of foul play warranted a red card.
The committee upheld the red card and applied World Rugby’s mandatory minimum mid-range entry point of a six-week suspension, after the player admitted to the offence and that there were no mitigating factors for his actions.
Due to Larsen’s clean disciplinary record and conduct, the committee opted to reduce the six-week entry point by three weeks, which resulted in a sanction of three weeks.
Larsen will consequently miss Canada’s last Pool B match against Namibia on Sunday, in what is a final chance for either side to pick up a first victory in their World Cup campaign.
Larsen will also miss the first two matches for his new club New England Free Jacks in the 2020 Major League Rugby season. He will be free to play again on 16 February 2020.
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