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It went unnoticed on Sunday, but Canada forward Isaac Kaay was handed a three-match ban during the Hong Kong Sevens.

That’s why he didn’t play against Argentina in the plate semi finals.

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The ban was revealed this week by Canada coach Damian McGrath, who said he felt his young forward had been dealt with “very harshly” for his late tackle.

The incident happened at the end of the Fiji quarterfinal, he said.

When you watch the replay of the game, there’s only one moment where Kaay has a chance to make a tackle is on the game’s final try, with about 50 seconds to play.

He makes a desperate attempt to stop Sevuloni Mocenacagi from scoring, but it wasn’t really ever in doubt. Kaay gets his hands on Mocenacagi’s back but then looks to just slide over.

It’s the kind of play you see often and it’s not immediately obvious how it’s foul play.

A look at the angle from behind the in-goal, shown above, suggests Kaay put his elbow into Mocenacagi’s back or neck, but it all happens so fast. World Rugby didn’t like it, though, and banned the young Canadian for three games.

Kaay still has two games left in his ban, meaning he’ll miss the first two matches of the Singapore 7s, against Russia and Hong Kong.

It’s a big loss for the Canadians, who’ve come to rely on Kaay’s energy on attack and defence in the second half push. He’s definitely the find of the season for Damian McGrath.

Mocenacagi, who was himself red-carded at the end of USA 7s final for submarining Werner Kok at a re-start, didn’t appear fussed at all about the play.

pjohnston@postmedia.com

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