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International

Hunter Paisami learns fate after late yellow card against Springboks

Henry Lee

Published: 30 September 2026 18:19 CDT
Updated: 30 September 2026 18:20 CDT

Hunter Paisami of the Wallabies. Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

The Wallabies will be without powerful Reds No.12 Hunter Paisami for the 2026 Bledisloe Cup series after receiving a six-week ban for a high shot in the 78th minute against the Springboks.

The 28-year-old has been handed a six-game ban but will miss four Test matches, with the disciplinary committee adding a two-game reduction due to his recent disciplinary record and other mitigating factors.

Paisami, who excelled during the Wallabies’ Flight Centre Series contest against the Springboks in Perth, will miss the trip to Auckland next week to take on the All Blacks.

VIDEO

The Reds midfielder starred alongside Wallabies teammate Len Ikitau, who is also under an injury cloud ahead of the Bledisloe Cup series.

Les Kiss’ side will call upon Reds midfielder Isaac Henry, while Jordan Petaia’s return to the green-and-gold jersey could come as soon as Saturday, October 10, at Eden Park. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii or Filipo Daugunu could slot into the Australian’s midfield, but Kiss would have been impressed with Suaalii’s return to the wing against the Springboks.

“The Disciplinary Committee has found Australian midfielder Hunter Paisami guilty of dangerous play for a contrary tackle, in breach of Law 9.13.

“The Committee determined that the act of foul play merited a mid-range entry point of six weeks/matches.

“In light of Paisami accepting that he committed an act of foul play, as well as mitigating factors such as his recent disciplinary record, conduct, and remorse, the Committee applied a 2 week/match reduction on the sanction.”

Wallabies squad for Bledisloe Cup Series

Forwards (19)

Allan Alaalatoa (#896, 94)
Angus Bell (#940, 58)
Josh Canham (#987, 8)
Nick Champion de Crespigny (#99, 5)
Massimo De Lutiis (#1000, 3)
Isaac Kailea (#975, 9)
Toby Macpherson (uncapped, 0)
Fraser McReight (#937, 47)
Josh Nasser (#979, 16)
Zane Nonggorr (#966, 20)
Brandon Paenga-Amosa (#918, 31)
Billy Pollard (#958, 25)
Aidan Ross (#994, 7)
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (#914, 48)
Lachlan Shaw (#996, 5)
Carlo Tizzano (#982, 17)
Rob Valetini (#929, 69)
Jeremy Williams (#973, 33)
Harry Wilson (c) (#933, 43)

Backs (15)

Filipo Daugunu (#931, 24)
Ben Donaldson (#962, 26)
Isaac Henry (#999, 4)
Len Ikitau (#944, 55)
Max Jorgensen (#984, 28)
Ryan Lonergan (#993, 13)
Tate McDermott (#936, 56)
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips (uncapped, 0)
Declan Meredith (#997, 3)
Hunter Paisami (#932, 39)
Jordan Petaia (#930, 31)
Harry Potter (#989, 16)
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (#988, 25)
Kalani Thomas (#995, 2)
Tom Wright (#939, 51)

Injury Cover

Nick Frost (#953, 38)

Comments

29 Comments

Skip 12 days ago

I am struggling to under stand how the tackle is deemed foul play. It was definately careless or reckless. Foul play indicates some level of intent.

For the sake of rugby, I hope this TMO, and Yellow Card fiasco is delt with.

Put players on report and deal with the alleged infrongement after the game.

Reseve cards for deliberate acts of “Foul Play” i.e. Punching, Headbutting, DIVING!

Can we please address the endless stoppages for injury. The play should only stop if an injured played needs Medical Assistance or assistance to leave the field.

Mzilikazi 13 days ago

I am staggered at the severity of this sentence. The tackle was careless, but not exceptionally high force. Really was little different to the Harry Wilson hit.

B 13 days ago

It makes no sense

It’s still half the ban an attempt to blind a player would have gotten you a year ago - but none of it makes sense, at all

SD 13 days ago

Nick Champion de Crespigny (#99, 5)

Gee it has been a long time since his debut, and only 5 tests in that timeframe, it is a surprise he hung around.

I think number 99 was in 1908

Two Cents 13 days ago

I’m not sure how Paisami’s connection with Sacha rates as worse than Dog Sheehan shoulder charging Lynagh in the face. That's what I'm finding difficult to comprehend. The fact that the Irish cnt didn't even accept responsibility should have seen him out for 12 weeks.

PM 13 days ago

Yep. It’s too harsh. But Sheehan is a Lion and he plays for Andy Farrell.

Split seconds and cm vs line I guy who can't move up from 10 metres away.

It's a ridiculous suspicion. Didn’t holy and blessed be his glorious name Owen Farrell get fewer when he did his clothesline for Saracens 4 years back.

System is a joke.

We have to all be sanctimonious about it cause we don't want more HIA’s but it’s poorly administered and biased.

Tah Man Too 13 days ago

Maybe they could give him another two weeks off as credit for the bogus Su yellow card?

JMoney 13 days ago

Severity of the suspension is hard to comprehend. Are there any comparable suspensions the someone can highlight for me?

6 week starting point for a careless tackle, that took 4 angles to find the view that showed the player’s heads connecting seems ludicrous. Is the yellow card, in the context of the game, not punishment enough?

Rugby3 13 days ago

Paisami’s previous incidents like this counted bigly against him

Two Cents 13 days ago

It was on Paisami to get down before going into contact. He didn't and therefore caused the head on head contact. Therefore he goes to the bin.

Wilson collects Marx high and even though Marx got himself in a position where Wilson was probably never going to be in a position to do anything other than get him high it's still high contact so yellow card.

But 6 weeks for a careless but unintentional head clash is ridiculous. To give a comparison Sheehan who took out Lynagh with a shoulder charge to his face received the same sanction but had it fully mitigated so he only missed 3 club games.

Tooly 13 days ago

Paisami is careless .

I can’t see any difference in what he did and what Wilson often does .

Get class go for Josh Flook !

Two Cents 13 days ago

A guy who isn't even proven at this level? I'm sure that's a good move.

KwAussie 13 days ago

A shame but he needs to learn to tackle properly and within the new laws. The head contact is a real issue and players and coaches need to be better

Rugby3 13 days ago

The Wallabies can not afford to keep carrying Paisami’s carelessness. He does this all the b…. time and he keeps costing the team momentum and points.

Time to move on and bring in Isaac Henry or Kerevi or Perese or Poolman even. It will bring an immediate improvement to the Wallabies.

HenryAU 13 days ago

Indeed, was having one of his best seasons for the Wallabies .. bit of midfield disruption going into Bledisloe with Ikitau under an injury cloud.

Rabble 13 days ago

Yep, it's not at all surprising. If someone before the match said a player will be suspended due to a reckless high tackle and I had $100 to bet, I'd put $60 on Paisami, $30 on JAS and $10 on the rest of the team. He just always looks so likely to do it unfortunately.

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