Argentinian lock gets nine week ban for eye gouging

Argentina lock Mariano Galarza will miss the rest of the World Cup after being banned for nine weeks for making contact “with the eye or eye area” of New Zealand’s Brodie Retallick.

He is the second player suspended at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, after Fiji back row Dominiko Waqaniburotu was given a one-week ban for a tip tackle on England wing Jonny May.

Javier Ortega Desio is brought in for the suspended Galarza on the replacements bench.

Argentina are awaiting written notification of the sanction in order to appeal against it within the permitted 48-hour period and believe they can prove it bears no relation to what happened in the match.

The Argentina Rugby Union said it “fully supports the statement by Mariano Galarza, backed by the UAR, in the sense that no illegal play was seen by that player”.

Matias Alemanno comes in at lock for Guido Petti, who has not recovered from a knock to the head in his try-scoring performance in Sunday’s 26-16 loss to holders New Zealand.

Galarza’s suspension was with immediate affect and, unless it is reduced on appeal, he will not be able to play for his country or club side Gloucester until November 26.

That means the 28-year-old will miss part of Gloucester’s campaign as his suspension does not expire until more than three weeks after the World Cup final. The Pumas went on to win two pool games and beat Ireland in a playoff to reach the quarterfinals for the first time.