Faraj Benlahoucine, Media365, published on Wednesday May 1, 2024 at 4:54 p.m.
A Toulon executive was suspended for three weeks by the Top 14 disciplinary committee, he will be requalified for the 25th day against Clermont.
On April 20, during the 20th day of Top 14, Toulon achieved a great feat. At the Orange Vélodrome in Marseille where the XV de la Rade relocated the match to host Stade Toulousain with great fanfare, Pierre Mignoni’s men showed the best of themselves. Not only did they dominate the French champion. But beyond that, success was snatched by fourteen against fifteen. Because one minute before rest, Brian Alainu’uese received a direct expulsion following his dangerous tackle on the 3rd line Mathis Castro-Ferreira.
The disciplinary committee delivered its verdict on Tuesday. Six weeks’ suspension was handed down to the Samoan international found guilty of “dangerous play” and having “tackle an opponent in anticipation, late or in a dangerous manner.” However, the recognition of his wrongs, his regrets as well as his good behavior spoke in his favor. The sentence was reduced by half and Brian Alainu’uese will therefore only be deprived of competition for three weeks. Until May 19. He will therefore miss the next two Top 14 matches.
Alainu’uese, essential 2nd line of the RCT
He will be requalified for the 25th episode of the championship, when Clermont hosts Mayol. Requested 17 times this season in all competitions by Pierre Mignoni (for two tries), he will seek on this occasion an 18th appearance under the Red and Black tunic. Arriving in the Var in 2018, this 2nd row with extraordinary measurements (2m, 125kg) is still chasing a national title with the RCT. On the European scene, he broke his teeth twice in the Challenge Cup final in 2020 (against Bristol) and in 2022 (against Lyon) before lifting the title last year. Against his former team Glasgow Warriors, he started the match with his favorite number, 5, on his back.
