Folau's appeal against one-match ban dismissed

Waratahs will miss the services of Australia international Israel Folau in the weekend's Super Rugby clash against Rebels after his appeal against a one-match ban was dismissed.

The 29-year-old was handed a one-game ban for performing a dangerous tackle on Ireland's Peter O'Mahony in the third and deciding Test between the two teams in Sydney.

Citing commissioner New Zealand’s Michael O’Leary said Folau" placed his left hand on O'Mahony's chest", which had pulled the Ireland captain "over and he toppled to the ground. He was also sin-binned later in the game for a separate incident, that also saw him involved in a tackle on O'Mahony.

However, Rugby Australia went on to appeal against the decision but a statement from World Rugby confirmed that the suspension remains.

“Folau was issued with: (i) a yellow card; and (ii) a Citing Commissioner Warning for two separate incidents involving contact in the air in the match between Australia and Ireland in Sydney on 23 June,” read a statement from World Rugby.

“World Rugby’s disciplinary regulations stipulate that the accumulation of two such sanctions automatically triggers a disciplinary hearing.

“The case was heard by Shao Ing Wang (Chair, Singapore), Val Toma (former Romania referee) and Eroni Clarke (former New Zealand player) via teleconference on 27 June.

“Folau challenged the citing commissioner warning issued over his mid-air challenge with Ireland captain Peter O’Mahony, but having considered all the available evidence, the panel upheld the Citing Commissioner Warning.

“Folau immediately confirmed that he will appeal the decision of the Judicial Committee to uphold the Citing Commissioner Warning and the appeal will be heard on 28 June.”