Red Card Likely To End Aki's World Cup

IRELAND guaranteed their place in a quarter-final against either the All Blacks or South Africa, but it came at a price as Bundee Aki’s red card poured fresh fuel on the safe tackle debate.

- Tom Bradshaw

Aki was left “devastated” by his 29th minute straight red for the challenge on Ulupano Seuteni, which is likely to result in a ban that will end his World Cup.

But Aki, who is of Samoan descent, will have Samoa head coach Steve Jackson on his side when he appears at a disciplinary tribunal.

Jackson, whose team have experienced no shortage of cards this tournament, said: “It’s the toss of a coin at the moment.

“I’ve known Bundee a long time and he’s a great man and a great character. He didn’t go out to do that to anybody.

“Hopefully the powers that be can see sense and he gets to carry on in this tournament. He deserves it as much as anyone. I hope no sanction comes and he goes further in this tournament, and we will do all we can to make sure he gets out there.

“Defenders have got to make a decision in a split second. I think Bundee only had two or three metres to make a decision on the type of tackle. It’s extremely difficult.”