La Rochelle coach Ronan O’Gara will have to watch his team play from the stands at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.
The Irishman will be serving the last of his two-match ban against the Stormers after receiving a red card in the Top 14 defeat to Pau.
The former Ireland flyhalf repeatedly remonstrated with referee Jérémy Rozier following the early dismissal of Antoine Hastoy, who was sent off in the opening minute for a reckless “kung-fu kick” while contesting a high ball.
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A Ligue Nationale Rugby statement said O’Gara was found guilty of “disrespecting the authority of a match official,” resulting in a two-week ban and a €3,000 fine after the disciplinary panel weighed his record, remorse and conduct.
Hastoy received a separate three-match suspension for dangerous play. His absence removes a key tactical voice and kicking threat from the visitors’ arsenal for Saturday’s showdown against the unbeaten Stormers.
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