Hunter Paisami learns fate after late yellow card against Springboks

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.

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)