Wallabies lock Darcy Swain has been suspended for two weeks and will miss the final two matches of the England Test series after his red card for foul play was upheld by a Rugby World judicial committee.
The Australians were forced to play a man down for more than half of last Saturday’s first Test against England at Perth Optus Stadium after Swain was sent off in the 34th minute for headbutting opposite Jonny Hill in retaliation. Australia scored three second-half tries to lead 30-14 and won the match 30-28.
“Having acknowledged mitigating factors, including the player’s acknowledgement of foul play, clean disciplinary record, conduct at the hearing and expression of remorse, the committee granted the player full mitigation of 50 per cent of three weeks,” the committee said in a statement Tuesday.
“The committee further determined that given the above off-field mitigating factors and that a three-week sanction would be wholly disproportionate given the level and nature of the offence, the sanction was further reduced by an extra week.”
Swain has the right to appeal.
The final two matches in the series are this Saturday in Brisbane and on July 16 in Sydney.
