Joseph Suaalii Returns for Scotland Test After Wallabies Player Suspension

Australia centre Samu Kerevi will miss Sunday’s match against Scotland after being hit with a ban for his high tackle on Wales’ Jac Morgan, which could see rugby league convert Joseph Suaalii return to the starting line-up.

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Kerevi was initially given a yellow card that was then upgraded to a red for his hit on Morgan in the second half of Australia’s 52-20 victory in Cardiff on Sunday.

The 31-year-old’s ban means he is unavailable for this weekend’s clash with Scotland in Edinburgh.

Australia end their tour against Ireland in Dublin on November 30 but Kerevi was already de to return to Japan before that match and will now miss club side Urayasu D-Rocks’ opening Rugby League One game on December 1.

But he should be free for the team’s next game, provided he completes World Rugby’s coaching intervention programme.

Kerevi’s dismissal brought a premature end to his 50th Australia cap in his first appearance for his country since the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

“Australia number 12, Samu Kerevi, appeared before an independent Disciplinary Committee yesterday evening via video link having received a 20 minute red card for an act of foul play contrary to Law 9.13 in the match between Australia and Wales on Sunday 17th November 2024,” a World Rugby statement read on Wednesday.

“The Disciplinary Committee has upheld the red card issued to the player and by applying World Rugby’s sanctioning provisions, have determined that the mid-range entry point of six weeks/matches was appropriate.

“In light of the player accepting he committed an act of foul play as well as other mitigating factors such as his clean disciplinary record, his remorse and good conduct, they have applied the full 50% reduction in sanction, thus reducing the final sanction to three weeks/matches.” Kerevi’s absence is expected to pave the way for Suaalii to return to the starting line-up, while Hamish Stewart is another selection option.

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt is set to name his team to play Scotland on Friday.