Elvis Seveali’i given two week ban
London Irish has been hit by a ban that will mean Elvis Seveali’i will not play in the next two weeks.
The centre was banned for a dangerous tackle on Sam Vesty, the Bath out-half during their Aviva Premier League match on September 11.
The incident took place at the Recreation Ground, where London Irish lost by 20 points to 13. Olly Barkley scored five penalties and Nick Abendanon scored Bath’s only try.
Ryan Lamb replied with two penalties and a conversion for London Irish with Jonathan Johnson scoring the try. Seveali’i was sin-binned for the tackle on Vesty in the second half.
Seveali’i pleaded guilty to the charges of dangerous play and his suspension will run from the 16th to the 29th. The Samoan international who has made 56 appearances for his country will miss the Exiles trip to play the Newcastle Falcons.
Had the midfielder appealed the ban he may well have seen the ban increase. Luckily, for Seveali’i he was already punished by the referee with a yellow card and ten minutes in the sin bin.
However, the Rugby Board did not believe that this was enough of a punishment and reviewed the incident. The player was sighted and received an extra two weeks for his tackle.
London Irish are currently second in the league and only three points behind league leaders Northampton after three games of the season. The strength and gain breaks that Seveali’i brings to the midfield will be a loss for the Irish.
With Delon Armitage fracturing his shin, London Irish find themselves without a number of key players across the back line. London Irish will have a problem in what partnership to choose for the match against Newcastle.
Seveali’i will be available again on the 2nd of October for the match against Leeds Carnegie.
Tags: