Argentina have second-row concerns going into Friday’s Rugby World Cup Pool C clash against Georgia with Mariano Galarza set to learn his fate on Wednesday for alleged foul play and Guido Petti recovering from a knock.
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The Independent Citing Commissioner Murray Whyte, of Ireland, found Galarza had been guilty of “contact with the eye or eye area” of All Black Brodie Retallick in the Wembley match.
Rugby World Cup Limited confirmed in a statement: “Galarza denied the act of foul play”.
‘Due to the need to deter such acts of foul play, he added an additional period of one week.
Earlier, Galarza was suspended for 13 weeks by the match officials but was later reduced to 9 weeks following Galarza’s “excellent disciplinary record” over the years.
The player has 48 hours to appeal the decision.
The Pumas, who had holders New Zealand in trouble before succumbing 26-16 on Sunday, are prepared for a tremendous forward contest against fast-improving Georgia and will seek to avoid becoming bogged down in a war of attrition against a side who upset Tonga 17-10 on Saturday.
Galarza cannot play again until November 26th, which means the Gloucester forward will also miss some club rugby as his suspension does not expire until more than three weeks after the World Cup final.
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Coach Daniel Hourcade was going to name his team to face Georgia at midday but postponed the announcement until the evening at the team’s Cheltenham hotel, near Gloucester.
