Brumbies could be searching for fifth-string hooker to face Sunwolves
The ACT Brumbies could be scrambling to find a hooker if Folau Faingaa cops a ban following his red card in Pretoria on Sunday.
The Brumbies are already down to their fourth-string rake in Connal McInerney and they could have to pluck somebody from club rugby to face the Tokyo Sunwolves at Canberra Stadium on Sunday.
McInerney flew to South Africa to cover the loss of Robbie Abel and with Josh Mann-Rea out for the season, the Brumbies don't have another hooker on their books.
Faingaa gave Bulls prop Matthys Basson the lightest of headbutts and despite the contact being minimal, he was cited post match for striking.
The 23-year-old was still awaiting his fate on Monday night and a lengthy ban could deny him a Wallabies debut in the June Test series against Ireland.
The unpredictable Super Rugby judiciary could slap Faingaa with a ban or consider his 19 minutes off the field punishment enough.
The Brumbies can fight any suspension at a tribunal on Tuesday night, but former Wallabies and Brumbies hooker Marco Cupato doesn't believe the incident even warranted a red card.
"I can't believe that was a send-off offence and then there's this new IRB ruling that tackles have to be below the nipple, I just can’t believe where the game is heading," Cupato said.
"We're going to end up having as much contact as soccer and AFL soon, it’s ridiculous. Fair enough getting referred but that being send-able was unbelievable, they need to start using some commonsense.
"It’d be tragic if he missed out on Wallabies because of it but I think what [Australian coach] Michael Cheika is looking for is guys who are physical and won't back down.
"Everything I've seen Cheika talk about is about having a group of guys who aren't intimidated.
"The action was a quite a silly one but the intent to not back down and stand his ground in a hostile place - the Bulls in Pretoria is a tough assignment - is a positive.
"A send off in Pretoria isn't ideal and if he had his time again he wouldn't have done it, but a young kid standing his ground, I can see what he was trying to do."
The Brumbies have been on the wrong end of an inconsistent SANZAAR judicial panel this season and will be nervously waiting a verdict on Folau.
Winger Chance Peni was suspended for seven weeks for a high tackle earlier this year and Rory Arnold was ruled out for three weeks for the same offence last week.
Those decisions came while Bulls prop Pierre Schoeman copped just six weeks for biting and Crusaders prop Joe Moody struck Kurtley Beale with an elbow to the throat but was only banned for a fortnight.
"Things haven't gone the Brumbies way this season and then you look at some of the bans for New Zealand and South African players, there's no consistency," Caputo said.
"It's just who's reviewing and who’s on the committee and pretty much luck of the draw of who you get on the day to determine your punishment which in my opinion is crazy.
"I understand player welfare and the need to look after the head area and concussion becoming a problem, but a big guy like Rory Arnold good example of how dangerous the nipple rule could be.
"Anything lower than shoulder is a real worry for me. You're going to have players get their body height down before impact and if the refs apply the letter of the law it will open a whole can of worms."
The Brumbies are hoping for a big crowd when they host the Sunwolves and Caputo backed those in attendance to see some entertaining rugby.
"The Sunwolves are very vulnerable, they've made a whole bunch of changes and if the Brumbies are in the right head space they could rack up a score against them," Cupato said.
SUPER RUGBY ROUND 16
Sunday: ACT Brumbies v Tokyo Sunwolves at Canberra Stadium, 4pm.