Samoza banned for Portugal
Portugal flanker Juan Severino Somoza has received a four-week ban for head-butting lock Nathan Hines during the 56-10 defeat to Scotland on Sunday.
The decision by the citing commission means Somoza’s World Cup is effectively over, although he has 48 hours in which to make an appeal.
Somoza, who is free to play rugby again on October 8, will therefore miss Saturday’s Pool C clash against New Zealand in Lyon.
Coach Tomaz Morais has made nine changes to his starting XV for the match.
Highly-rated centre Miguel Portela is recalled, while Pedro Carvalho – the winger who scored Portugal’s try against the Scots – is retained.
Goncalo Malheiro replaces Duarte Pinto at fly-half.
Portugal team to play New Zealand in Lyon on Saturday:
P Leal; A Aguilar, M Portela, D Mateus, P Carvalho; G Malheiro, L Pissarra; A Silva, J Correia, R Spachuck, M d’Orey, G Uva, P Murinello, D Coutinho, V Uva (capt).
Replacements: R Cordeiro, J Ferreira, D Penalva, T Girao, J Uva, J Pinto, D Pinto.
