Fijiana flanker Bulou Vasuturaga has been suspended for the remainder of Fiji’s pool matches at the Women’s Rugby World Cup in England following a red card incident in their clash against Canada.
She was sent off during the match at York Community Stadium for a dangerous tackle, after her right shoulder made direct contact with the head of a Canadian player with significant force.
This was breach of Law 9.13 said World Rugby.
Following a review, the Foul Play Review Committee (FPRC) ruled that the tackle was reckless and carried a high degree of danger, justifying the red card decision.
While Vasuturaga accepted that foul play occurred, she disputed that it warranted a red card. However, the committee disagreed.
The committee initially imposed a six-match ban, the mandatory mid-range entry point for the offence.
However, taking into account mitigating factors such as her disciplinary record and early acknowledgment, the suspension was reduced by 50 percent to three matches.
The ban will be further reduced to two matches if she successfully completes World Rugby’s Coaching Intervention Programme.
The ruling means Vasuturaga will play no further part in Fiji’s pool-stage campaign in the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025.