Argentina’s Galarza banned for eye-gouging NZ’s lock Retallick
Argentina lock Mariano Galarza is clearly seen putting his hand on the eye of All Black Brodie Retallick.
Neither the All Blacks nor Retallick have commented on the incident which happened at a lineout in the 24th minute of the Test at Wembley, won 26-16 by New Zealand. Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, the judicial officer upheld the citing.
“The Judicial Officer deemed the act of foul play merited a low-end entry point of 12 weeks”, organisers said in a statement.
“[The UAR board] fully supports what Mariano Galarza said and this UAR maintained at the [disciplinary] hearing held yesterday to the effect that there is no evidence of a situation of illicit play on the part of the player”, it read.
‘Due to the need to deter such acts of foul play, he added an additional period of one week.
Galarza’s ban extends past the World Cup and will stop him playing for his English club side Gloucester until November 26.
The only fit locks for Friday’s game against Georgia in Gloucester are Matias Alemanno and Tomas Lavanini, while Guido Petti has been advised that he needs more time to recover from a head knock sustained against New Zealand.
Javier Ortega Desio is brought in for the suspended Galarza on the replacements bench.
‘However, taking into account mitigating factors including his excellent disciplinary record, the judicial officer reduced the suspension to a period of nine weeks’.
At the 1999 World Cup, prop Roberto Grau was banned for three weeks for an incident during their opening defeat by hosts Wales.