Paisami banned six weeks for high shot, ruling him out of Bledisloe Cup series against All Blacks

Hunter Paisami will miss Australia’s entire Bledisloe Cup series against New Zealand after a disciplinary committee handed the Wallabies centre a six-match ban for a high tackle on South Africa in the closing stages of their Flight Centre Series clash in Perth. The 28-year-old’s suspension was reduced to four Test matches following mitigating factors, ending his involvement in the series before it begins.

The committee found Paisami guilty of dangerous play for a contrary tackle in breach of Law 9.13, setting the entry point at a mid-range six weeks. His acceptance of the charge, combined with his recent disciplinary record, conduct, and expressed remorse, earned him a two-week reduction on the sanction.

“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’s statement read. “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.”

Paisami had been one of Australia’s standout performers against the Springboks, excelling alongside fellow Reds midfielder — and Wallabies centre partner — Len Ikitau. Ikitau himself is now carrying an injury concern ahead of the series, leaving Les Kiss with a significant selection headache in midfield.

With Paisami absent, Reds teammate Isaac Henry is the most likely candidate to step into the No.12 jersey. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Filipo Daugunu have also been identified as potential midfield options, though Kiss appeared encouraged by Suaalii’s performance on the wing against South Africa. Jordan Petaia’s return to the Wallabies could come as early as Saturday, 10 October, at Eden Park in Auckland, where Australia face the All Blacks in the opening Bledisloe Cup Test.