New Zealand lock Scott Barrett is exempt from a 2023 Rugby World Cup suspension.

New Zealand lock Scott Barrett has escaped suspension following a red card he received in the recent match against South Africa, as announced by World Rugby on Monday.

Barrett, aged 29, was issued a second yellow card for dangerous play during the loss to the Rugby World Cup champions, the Springboks, last Friday. His earlier yellow card had been given in his team’s previous match before the upcoming tournament, where they are set to face France on September 8.

World Rugby stated that the independent Judicial Committee deemed the red card sufficient punishment in this case because Barrett had been sent off due to accumulating two yellow cards. The first yellow card was a result of a technical offense following a team warning.

Unlike England captain Owen Farrell and No 8 Billy Vunipola, Barrett, who plays for the Crusaders, managed to avoid missing matches for his team in the upcoming World Cup. However, Tonga’s center George Moala has been suspended for a dangerous tackle and will be ineligible until his nation’s final pool game.

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