Tonga hooker Paula Ngauamo has been slapped with a seven-week suspension for kicking an opponent in face during their match against the USA on Sunday.

The incident was missed by the officials and because there was also no TMO referral, Ngauamo escaped punishment during the Test.

But Ngauamo was cited post-game and attended a disciplinary hearing on Monday, 15 October for an act of foul play contrary to Law 9.12 (kicking).

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The player admitted that he had kicked his opponent in the face and accepted this was at least mid-range offending as he had made contact with his opponent’s head.

The committee agreed and applied World Rugby’s mandatory minimum mid-range eight-week entry point suspension. But taking into account the player’s early admission and good disciplinary record, the committee reduced the sanction from eight to seven weeks.

With Tonga already eliminated fromWorld Cup, Ngauamo will now miss seven weeks of action for French club Agen in the Top 14.

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