Australia second-row, Harvey Cordukes, has received a two-match sanction for a dangerous tackle in Australia’s match against Georgia on 29 June, 2024 in round one of the World Rugby U20 Championship taking place in South Africa.

The World Rugby U20 Championship and U20 Trophy are operating the simplified red card sanction trial, an initiative born from the Shape of the Game forum earlier this year aimed at simplifying rugby’s off-field disciplinary processes.

A Red Card Sanction Committee (RCSC) found that the offending was an error in technique which satisfied the definition of “foul play” under the new process. Foul play is defined as circumstances where a player has attempted to affect a legal rugby action and/or has committed a reckless action but has made minor errors such as in technique or timing.

The RCSC met on 30 June, 2024, and was chaired by Mike Mika (New Zealand), joined by panel members Ofisa Tonu’u (New Zealand) and Donal Courtney (Ireland). Having considered all the available evidence, and all available camera angles, the RCSC found the offending warranted a two-match standard sanction for “foul play”. This sanction was accepted by the player.

The player is therefore suspended for the following matches:

• Australia v Italy – 4 July, 2024
• Ireland v Australia – 9 July, 2024

For more information on the red card sanction trial, click here.