The Australians arrive in the capital looking for a repeat of last season’s late, late win in the final Dove Men Series Test but Kuridrani won’t be in their ranks after his red card against Ireland.
Kuridrani was dismissed with six minutes remaining at the Aviva Stadium for a dangerous tackle on Ireland flanker Peter O’Mahony and has since been handed a five-week suspension.
That length of absence will prevent the Brumbies star from playing any further part in his country’s end-of-year tour, with the Millennium Stadium match up preceded by Saturday’s encounter with Scotland in Edinburgh.
Professor Lorne Crerar, the International Rugby Board-appointed judicial officer, ruled that Kuridrani’s offence warranted an eight-week ban before adding a ninth week as a deterrent for ‘tip’ tackling. Crerar then took four weeks off the total suspension as a reflection of Kuridrani’s previously good disciplinary record and other mitigating factors.
Kuridrani’s ban is due to end on February 17, as the Australian season comes to an end in Cardiff, although he has the right to appeal.
The 22-year-old, who shone for the Brumbies in their run to the Super XV Final before making his international bow in the Rugby Championship, will be joined on the sidelines in Cardiff by Paddy Ryan after the Waratahs prop was one of six players banned for a game after consuming ‘inappropriate levels of alcohol’ in mid-week in Ireland. While Adam Ashley-Cooper, Nick Cummins, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson and Liam Gill will miss the clash with Scotland, the need to have four props in the matchday 23 means Ryan be unavailable to face Wales.
