Argentina lock Mariano Galarza will miss the rest of the World Cup after being banned for nine weeks for making contact “with the eye or eye area” of New Zealand’s Brodie Retallick.
The 28-year-old was found to have acted “contrary to good sportsmanship”.
The suspension was initially for 13 weeks, but was reduced after the judicial officer considered Galarza’s “excellent disciplinary record”.
The Gloucester player, who denied the offence, has 48 hours to appeal.
The incident occurred during Argentina’s 26-16 defeat by the All Blacks at Wembley on Sunday.
Should his ban stand, Galarza will be available again from 26 November, meaning he misses the start of the Premiership season.
He is the second player suspended at the World Cup, after Fiji back row Dominiko Waqaniburotu was given a one-week ban for a tip tackle on England wing Jonny May.
Galarza has been replaced in Argentina’s squad for their second Pool C match against Georgia by Javier Ortega Desio.
Team news
Argentina coach Daniel Hourcade has made three changes – all in the forwards – for Friday’s match in Gloucester.
Lock Matias Alemanno, blindside flanker Juan Manuel Leguizamon and number eight Facundo Isa all start, with Guido Petti, Pablo Matera and Leonardo Senatore dropping out of the XV.
Georgia, who beat Tonga 17-10 in their opening match, have named an unchanged side.
Argentina: Tuculet; Cordero, Bosch, Hernandez, Imhoff; Sanchez, Cubelli; Ayerza, Creevy, Chaparro, Alemanno, Lavanini, Leguizamon, Fernandez Lobbe, Isa.
Replacements: Montoya, Noguera, Herrera, Desio, Matera, Landajo, De La Fuente, Amorosino.
Georgia: Kvirikashvili; Mchedlidze, Kacharava, Sharikadze, Aptsiauri; Malaguradze, Lobzhanidze; Nariashvili, Bregvadze, Zirakashvili, Nemsadze, Mikautadze, Tkhilaishvil, Kolelishvili, Gorgodze.
Replacements: Mamukashvili, Asieshvili, Chilachava, Datunashvili, Sutiashvili, Begadze, Pruidze, Giorgadze.
Stats you need to know
- These nations met at the 2007 and 2011 World Cups, matches Los Pumas won by 30 and 18-point margins respectively.
- These two countries also met two years ago in what was their closest clash to date – Argentina winning 29-18 on home soil.
- Argentina have lost their past two World Cup games and have not been beaten three times in a row since suffering eight consecutive defeats between 1987 and 1999.
- Georgia won their opening fixture against Tonga but have never won two in a row in the competition
