Brief
Wallabies lose Len Ikitau to injury as Valetini escapes suspension ahead of Sydney Bledisloe Cup
Wallabies centre Len Ikitau is sidelined after a failed HIA, while back‑rower Rob Valetini will not face a match‑review panel because the hip‑drop tackle ban is still weeks away.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Australia’s Wallabies will be without star centre Len Ikitau for the second Bledisloe Cup test in Sydney on Saturday, while back‑rower Rob Valetini avoids a potential suspension, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
What happened
In the first test at Eden Park, the Wallabies lost 50‑19 to the All Blacks. Ikitau left the field after 30 minutes following a failed Head Injury Assessment (HIA). The injury forced the Wallabies to finish the match with Isaac Henry and Joseph‑Aukuso Suaalii as a midfield pairing. Hunter Paisami remains suspended, meaning the Henry‑Suaalii duo is likely to continue.
All Blacks coach Dave Rennie confirmed that lock Scott Barrett also failed an HIA and was a doubt for the Sydney clash. Winger Leroy Carter is expected to miss the match after injuring his left ankle while scoring a try in the second half.
What the reports add
The Herald notes that Valetini’s tackle on Carter at Eden Park appeared to be a “hip‑drop” type tackle, a dangerous action that World Rugby is set to ban in a few weeks. Because the regulation change is not yet in force, Valetini will not be reviewed by the SANZAAR match‑review panel.
World Rugby announced last week an amendment to regulation 9.13 to explicitly ban hip‑drop tackles after lobbying from Rugby Australia. The new rule would carry a minimum two‑match suspension for low‑range offences and six weeks for mid‑range offences.
What was said
Rennie said of Carter’s injury, “It didn’t look good, sort of like a … hip‑drop type tackle, which landed on the back side of his ankle. I haven’t had a chance to talk to the doc yet, but it looked reasonably serious,” and added he would “leave that for the officials” when asked about judicial scrutiny, while expressing confidence it was not intentional on Valetini’s part.
How it came about
The injury updates follow the Wallabies’ 50‑19 defeat in Auckland, a result that coach Les Kiss and the players said would not damage the side’s belief after 30 months of rebuilding. The upcoming Sydney test will feature reshuffles on both sides, with the Wallabies missing Ikitau and the All Blacks uncertain about Barrett and Carter.
Key facts
- Len Ikitau was ruled out of the Sydney Bledisloe Cup match after a failed HIA at Eden Park. (smh.com.au)
- Rob Valetini will not face a match‑review panel because the hip‑drop tackle ban is not yet effective. (smh.com.au)
- World Rugby announced an amendment to regulation 9.13 to ban hip‑drop tackles, with sanctions starting at two matches. (smh.com.au)
- The Wallabies lost 50‑19 to the All Blacks in the first Bledisloe Cup test at Eden Park. (smh.com.au)
- All Blacks winger Leroy Carter injured his left ankle while scoring a try and is likely to miss the Sydney match. (smh.com.au)
Sources
- [1] smh.com.au — originally reported as “Bledisloe Cup Sydney: Wallabies star Len Ikitau ruled out, Rob Valetini avoids suspension”
