New Zealand international Lima Sopoaga has branded Australia's Darcy Swain an 'absolute coward' after the extent of the injury suffered by Kiwi Quinn Tupaea was discovered.
During the first Bledisloe Cup clash earlier this month, Swain was shown a yellow card for a dangerous clearout on the All Blacks centre. Tupaea buckled awkwardly and a serious knee injury was feared. Initially, it was hoped that he had only suffered an injury to his medial cruciate ligament in his knee.
However, further scans have revealed a far more serious injury, which includes damage to his Anterior Cruciate Ligament, which will require surgical repair. Best case scenario with an injury of that nature is a nine month rehabilitation period, which will rule Tupaea out of the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season.
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In reality, he is likely now in a race to prove his fitness for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Meanwhile, Swain was banned for six weeks but will only miss three Test matches after he was controversially named in the Australia 'A' series against Japan, which will count towards his period of absence.
Reacting angrily to the news, Sopoaga, who last played for New Zealand against Wales in 2017, said: "Swain is an absolute coward for this. Was no need for such a cheap shot. 9 months for 6 weeks seems fair. Joke of a suspension."
If selected, Swain will be eligible to face Wales on November 26.
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