Australia's Reece Hodge suspended for three games

Australia have been dealt a major blow ahead of their upcoming World Cup game against Wales with winger Reece Hodge suspended for three weeks.

The incident happened during the 25th minute during the opening game against Fiji when Hodge prevented Peceli Yato from crossing over with an alleged no arms tackle which is a breach of Law 9.13.

Even though Fiji skipper Dominiko Waqaniburotu requested for a TMO, the referee deemed the tackle was legitimate.

However, the Wallabies star appeared before a three-person disciplinary panel chaired by Nigel Hampton, QC (New Zealand), Frank Hadden (Scotland) and José Luis Rolandi (Argentina) in Tokyo after he was cited last weekend.

The panel issued a statement that Hodge's act carried a red-card offence and was initially handed a six-week ban that was reduced by half taking into account his conduct during the hearing and other mitigating factors.

As a result, Hodge will miss the remainder of the opening round games against Wales, Uruguay and Georgia and will be free to resume playing from 12th October. He will have 48 hours to appeal against the ban.

Australia are currently at the second position in Pool D behind Wales following their win over Fiji in the opening game.