All Blacks v Wallabies: Australian lock Darcy Swain banned for six weeks

Darcy Swain appeared to deliberately target the leg of Quinn Tupaea. Photo / Sky

Australian lock Darcy Swain has been banned for six weeks for his hit on Quinn Tupaea during the All Blacks' controversial 39-37 victory over the Wallabies last week.

In the 35th minute of the clash, Swain dived with force into Tupaea's knee as the All Blacks midfielder was engaged over the ball in a ruck.

Tupaea went down in pain after his left knee buckled inwards. He was helped off the field by medical staff and was later seen in a knee brace.

A Sanzaar Juciaial Committee Hearing found Swain guilty of contravening Law 9.11 "players must not do anything that is reckless or dangerous to others".

He has been suspended up to and including November 6.

All Blacks coach Ian Foster confirmed on Friday that Tupaea will be sidelined for at least three months due to a ruptured medial cruciate ligament in his left knee, meaning he will miss the remainder of the season.

Foster said Tupaea also suffered a partial tear of his anterior cruciate ligament, but wasn't sure if the midfielder would require surgery.

During the match, the television match official Ben Whitehouse reviewed the incident before referee Mathieu Raynal decided that Swain deserved a yellow card.

"That is your responsibility to not put yourself in a reckless position which can seriously injure the player," Raynal told Swain after reviewing the footage. "You cannot target the lower legs, it's dangerous so it's a yellow card."

The Wallabies were reduced to 13 players after Tom Wright was also sent to the bin shortly before for cynical play.

Fans and pundits took to social media to criticise Swain's act, with many saying he should've seen red.

Former All Blacks first-five Lima Sopoaga was one of many calling for a lengthy ban for Swain: "Hope there is a lengthy ban for rubbish like this."

Former England No 10 Andy Goode described the foul play as "shocking", while also adding that Swain should've been red carded.

Darcy Swain He’s seriously injured Tupaea deliberately. Aiming to break his leg basically. Absolutely disgusting. Should be cited and given a lengthy ban#AUSvNZL #BledisloeCup #RugbyChampionship

— Ronan Foley (@RoFoley) September 15, 2022

I get that rugby is a physical, contact sport but it takes a certain mindset to target a defenceless fellow player’s knee with injurious intent, and likely put him out for a very long time. Disgraceful from Swain.

— Jason Pine (@pineynz) September 15, 2022

Poor Tupaea. Speedy recovery to the young kid. Looks like a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Hope Swain he's gets a long ban for that dog act 😡

— Tino Jnr Poluleuligaga (@JIP2EZY) September 15, 2022

A yellow card is not a suitable punishment for what Darcy Swain did there. Blatant targetting of a players knee leading to an injury. Should be a red card followed by a lengthy suspension. #AUSvNZL

— Jordan Patu (@Jordan_Patu) September 15, 2022

Nasty knee injury for #AllBlacks Quinn Tupaea - contact mechanism causing knee to collapse in. Brings concern for at least MCL injury, can bring risk to ACL/meniscus as well but hopefully avoided here #BledisloeCup pic.twitter.com/9YJYmrb20x

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) September 15, 2022

Swain was also involved in controversy during the Wallabies' test series with England earlier this year when he was sent off for head-butting England lock Johnny Hill.

Swain later justified the head-butt by revealing that he was goaded by Hill throughout the first test in Perth: "I was angry that he was assaulting me like this, and I wanted him to get the message it wasn't okay."