Date: 13/11/13
An International Appeals Tribunal has lifted the one-match suspension handed down to United States of America player Haveatama Luani for a Grade A dangerous throw in a Rugby League World Cup 2013 fixture against Scotland on November 7.
The 21-year-old won his appeal after USA coach Terry Matterson successfully demonstrated that Luani played a minimal role in a three-man tackle on Peter Wallace of Scotland in the 78th minute of the match.
The decision means Luani is free to play for the USA against Australia in a RLWC2013 quarter-final at Wrexham on Saturday (1.00pm).
Scotland player Dale Ferguson was unsuccessful in his appeal against a two-match suspension imposed for making Grade B dangerous contact with a Samoa player in the 22nd minute of the same fixture.
Ferguson will be unavailable for Scotland’s quarter-final against world champions New Zealand at Headingley Carnegie Stadium, Leeds, on Friday night (8.00pm) and, should they win, the semi-finals at Wembley Stadium on Saturday November 23.
Fiji player Korbin Sims also failed in his appeal against a two-match suspension imposed for a Grade B dangerous throw on James Graham of England in the 19th minute of a RLWC2013 Group A fixture at Hull last Saturday.
Sims will be unavailable for selection for Fiji’s quarter-final against Samoa at Warrington on Sunday (3.00pm) and, should they progress, the semi-finals.
