Argentina fullback receives two-week suspension for hit on Grant Williams

The hit occurred in the opening seconds of last weekend's Rugby Championship encounter as Mallia charged down the Bok scrumhalf's attempted clearance.

The Argentine managed to make a connection with the ball but he was also reckless in his action as his hip hit the head of Williams in the follow-through, the disciplinary panel found.

Referee Andrew Brace and his team of match officials decided not to take action at the time, stating that it was a 'rugby incident'.

However, the committee, chaired by Nigel Hampton KC and consisting of David Croft and Ofisa Tonu'u, concluded that the act deserved a suspension.

"With respect to sanction the Judicial Committee considered the act of foul play was reckless, with a high degree of danger and had a considerable impact on the victim player," judicial committee chairman Nigel Hampton KC said.

"The Committee considered all relevant factors of World Rugby's Head Contact Process and sanctioning table, but given the evidence from both the referee and the coach as to how successful charge downs of kicks are viewed by match officials and as to how coaching of players is conducted.

"As a consequence, the Committee decided that a mid-range sanction would be wholly disproportionate to the player's fault and that the foul play merited a low-range entry point of 2 weeks.

"The player is therefore suspended for 2 weeks, up to and including 18 August 2023."

The ban rules Mallia out of this weekend's reverse fixture against South Africa, but the fullback will be available for the Rugby World Cup.

In fact, head coach Michael Cheika can select him for their final warm-up match against Spain on August 26 if required, before the tournament begins on September 8.

Los Pumas start their campaign against England a day later on September 9 before they take on Samoa, Chile and Japan in their other Pool D encounters.

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