Appeal immediately launched as Israel Folau cops ban

Wallaby star Israel Folau has been banned for one match following his controversial yellow card incident in the third test against Ireland at Allianz Stadium in Sydney last weekend.

Folau and Rugby Australia immediately launched an appeal against the ban.

Many were angered at the decision that saw Folau face a World Rugby disciplinary hearing after he was cited for an early aerial challenge with Peter O’Mahony.

The Waratahs Simon Cron did not believe he should face further punishment ahead of the Australian Conference leaders’ showdown with the second-placed Rebels this weekend.

“I’d be stunned if he’s not available,” he said. “Personally, I think it’s an interesting decision to even send him there [to a disciplinary].

“They’ve made that call, so he’ll go and defend himself. You probably saw it, personally I think if you’re in the air and you’re three foot off the ground, four feet off the ground, he’s quite high off the ground.

“I would think they would look at their one-man lifting technique. I know we do a lot of it but I’d be surprised. It’d be a bit of a nanny state if they pull him.”