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One-game Super Rugby ban for Rebels' Hodge

The struggling Melbourne Rebels have suffered another blow with fullback Reece Hodge copping a one-game ban that will see him miss Friday's clash with the Drua.

REECE HODGE of the Wallabies.
REECE HODGE of the Wallabies. Picture: Stefan Gosatti/Getty Images

Reece Hodge has been suspended for Friday's Super Rugby Pacific clash with the Fijian Drua in another mighty blow to the Melbourne Rebels.

The fullback received two yellow cards in Saturday's loss to the Western Force.

The first was a cynical foul for slowing play after a Force break and the second an innocuous bat down of a pass with just four minutes remaining and the result a formality.

Those dual incidents equated to a red card, with a SANZAAR review committee ruling a week's suspension was warranted given both were deliberate breaches.

"The Foul Play Review Committee conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles, and submissions from the player, including the player accepting both yellow cards were warranted," committee chairman Michael Heron said.

"Owing to the fact both yellow cards were deemed deliberate actions of foul play, it was felt that along with the player's existing disciplinary record, that the player's actions merited a further sanction of one week."

The absence of Hodge -- who received a three-week ban during the 2019 World Cup for a high tackle -- compounds problems for the winless Rebels, who have missed fellow Wallabies Rob Leota and Andrew Kellaway through injury and lost star winger Marika Koroibete to Japanese rugby.

Melbourne have scored just eight points in losses to the Reds and the Force.

They now face a crunch clash with winless competition newcomers Fijian Drua in a game that's been moved from a flooded Suncorp Stadium to the Sunshine Coast.

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