Melina Salale's World Cup is all but over

Samoa’s Melina Salale has been handed a three-match suspension – reduced to two on the successful completion of World Rugby’s Coaching Intervention programme – following her red card against Australia in their opening match of the World Cup.

Salale was dismissed for a dangerous tackle in Samoa’s 73-0 shellacking at hands of the Wallaroos at Salford Community Stadium on Saturday. The incident was reviewed by the Foul Play Review Committee, which initially proposed the same sanction, but the player opted not to accept that outcome.

That decision led to the case being referred to a full Disciplinary Committee hearing, chaired by France’s Philippe Cavalieros alongside former England international Leon Lloyd and ex-Ireland referee Donal Courtney. After reviewing submissions from both the player and World Rugby, the panel upheld the red card.

The ruling confirms that Salale will miss three matches, though she can cut that to two if she undertakes the Coaching Intervention. The outcome cannot be appealed, given the Disciplinary Committee was acting as the appellate body in this case.

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With two matches remaining for Samoa in the pool stages, one of which is against hosts and red-hot tournament favourites England, qualification for the quarter-finals is very unlikely, meaning Salale’s World Cup probably over.

A World Rugby statement reads: “Melina Salale (Samoa) has been suspended for three matches (reduced to two on successful completion of the Coaching Intervention) following a disciplinary committee hearing on 25 August.

“Salale received a red card for a Law 9.13 offence (dangerous tackle) during the Samoa v Australia Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Pool A match against Australia at Salford Community Stadium on 23 August, 2025.

“The Foul Play Review Committee met on 24 August and originally proposed a sanction of three matches reduced to two on successful completion of the Coaching Intervention. In line with the scope of the new off-field sanction process, the sanction was not accepted by the player and the matter accordingly was referred to a Disciplinary Committee for a full in-person hearing.

“The disciplinary committee was chaired by Philippe Cavalieros (France), joined by former international player Leon Lloyd (England) and former international referee Donal Courtney (Ireland) who met on 25 August, 2025 to consider the red card.

“The disciplinary committee considered all the evidence, including submissions made on behalf of the player and World Rugby and decided that the red card should be upheld. The committee considered whether there was any mitigation which should have reduced the red card to a yellow card and ultimately decided that there was not.

“The disciplinary committee therefore upheld the red card and imposed the original sanction of the FPRC which results in a three-match suspension (reduced to two on successful completion of the Coaching Intervention).

“Under World Rugby’s Off-Field Disciplinary Process, there is no right of appeal from the decision of the Disciplinary Committee where they are sitting as the appellate body, as they were in this case.”