George Moala of the Blues off loads, during the Super Rugby match between the Highlanders and the Blues, held at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin. Photo: PhotoSport
World Rugby's decision to suspend 'Ikale Tahi player George Moala for five matches has been slammed by key Pacific players who feel the decision was "biased".
It comes as the Six Nations Rugby independent Judicial Committee overturned the suspension of England captain Owen Farrell over similar offences.
Moala, who was red carded in the Test between Tonga and Canada in Nuku'alofa on August 10, was initially given a 10-match suspension, before that was reduced to five matches.
It means he will miss all the pool games in the World Cup beginning in October.
He was sent off the field for a spear tackle on his Canadian opposite.
England's Farrell was red-carded in the game against Wales at the weekend but he has been given the clear by the discplinary committee that heard his case.
Moala's fellow 'Ikale Tahi teammates Pita Ahki, Malakai Fekitoa and Vaea Fifita have been joined by Manu Samoa reps Lima Sopoaga and Steven Luatua in voicing their dissatisfaction over the two decisions.
Planet Rugby reported the players took to social media to express their dismay.
Fekitoa, who was Moala's centre partner on the day Moala was red-carded, said "Free George Moala. Let the man play #RWC2023".
Pita Ahki wrote - "...George Moala has a clear record and @WorldRugby has given him 10 weeks for a tip tackle? This guy [Farrell] has had how many red cards and gets off clean? How?"
"Tier 2 teams really do get treated differently," Scarlets and Tonga lock Sam Lousi added.
His club and country teammate Fifita called for fair treatment, posting: "treat everyone the same!!!"
Samoa and Clermont number eight Fritz Lee implied that had a Pacific Islands player made the tackle Farrell did, they would not get away with it.
Even Flying Fijians coach Simon Raiwalui added his bit.
"It is fair to say that it has been criticised universally, quite funny when Pacific Islanders raise certain concerns it is laughed at…I guess we need to stay in our box, know our place," he said.
Meanwhile, Tonga team manager Lano Fonua said they were still hopeful that their appeal could be heard.
'Ikale Tahi head coach Toutai Kefu is yet to finalise his 33-member squad for the Rugby World Cup.
Meanwhile, Owen Farrell has been left out of England's matchday 23 to face Ireland on Saturday after World Rugby earlier appealed against the decision to overturn his red card against Wales.