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Law quirk may save Wallabies gun after hip drop tackle sidelines Leroy Carter

Rob Valetini may be fortunate World Rugby's new hip-drop penalty is yet to be validated after the Wallabies backrower's late tackle left All Blacks winger Leroy Carter with a potentially serious ankle injury.

Rugby Pass

Published: Sunday, 11 October 2026 at 12:54 AM

Key Things to Know

Rob Valetini may avoid punishment for a hip-drop tackle because new World Rugby rules do not take effect until November 1.
The tackle forced All Blacks winger Leroy Carter off the field with a potentially serious ankle injury.
New Zealand retained the Bledisloe Cup with a 50-19 victory over Australia at Eden Park.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Wallabies backrower Rob Valetini may avoid sanction for a hip-drop tackle on Leroy Carter because World Rugby's new rule is not yet active. The 67th-minute incident forced the All Blacks winger off with an ankle injury during New Zealand's 50-19 Bledisloe Cup victory at Eden Park.

World Rugby recently moved to outlaw the technique following similar rules in the NRL and NFL, but the changes do not take effect until November 1. Following the match, New Zealand coach Dave Rennie acknowledged the tackle looked concerning but noted it likely lacked intent.

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Law quirk may save Wallabies gun after hip drop tackle sidelines Leroy Carter

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