Shock as American rugby star lands in hot water over ugly act that was branded 'thuggery' - as superstar Ilona Maher can't lead the USA to victory
- An American rugby player was sent off in their game against Australia
- The player was blasted by the referee for the ugly moment during the game
Charlotte Caslick has opened her Wallaroos account in a 27-19 defeat of the USA, marred by a late red card for a head stamp.
Rugby sevens convert Caslick scored the host's first try in Canberra on Saturday and, finding plenty of ball, showed some new tricks with a couple of clever grubbers in traffic on the wing.
Eva Karpani scored once, back-rower Ashley Marsters found a double while Eagles forward Hope Rogers bagged a hat-trick as the home side overcame an early try to control the contest.
The match will be remembered for Eagles centre Alev Kelter's red card though, the former ice hockey and soccer player sent off for stamping rival centre Georgina Friedrichs in the final minutes.
An bronze medallist for the American sevens team in Paris last year, Kelter took a hit-up and then stamped repeatedly with her boot on Friedrichs' head, who was clinging to her other leg.
Referee Aimee Barrett-Theron labelled it 'thuggery' after viewing the replay and had no hesitation in delivering a straight red card to the three-time Olympian.
USA rugby star Alev Kelter was sent off for stamping on Australia centre Georgina Friedrichs
It came during USA's defeat by the Wallaroos in their Pacific Four match in Canberra on Sunday
The former ice hockey and soccer player's act was branded 'thuggery by the referee
'12 blue (Kelter) is going to receive a permanent red card because this is thuggery, it is deliberate and it is very dangerous foul play,' the referee was heard saying on the microphone.
'She’s clearly stamped on the head of the Australian player. That’s reckless, that’s dangerous and she’s going off.'
Aware of Caslick's ball-playing ability, Australia coach Jo Yapp said there was no long-term plans to keep the Olympic champion on the wing.
'It's no secret we lost two of our wingers ... if you watch Charlotte she's going to learn best by being on the field,' Yapp said.
'We saw that in the first half today and she's been working incredibly hard and it was great to see.'
The Wallaroos began their Test campaign with a big win in Fiji but Saturday night's victory was Australia's first in the Pacific Four competition after a loss to New Zealand last week.
They'll play Canada in Brisbane next Friday.
Following the victory, USA boss Sione Fukofuka said his side would be taking a lot from the game, despite suffering defeat.
Ilona Maher, meanwhile, lapped up the atmosphere at the GIO Stadium, with plenty of fans in the house to watch the social media star
America will take on New Zealand at the North Harbour Stadium next week while Australia play Canada in Brisbane
'We will take a lot out of today, both in our performance and on what we can do better. We planned pretty heavily for this game and unfortunately, didn't execute where the moments counted. We weren't able to convert possession into opportunities to score, so that's now our work on,' Fukofuka said.
"We're 100 days away (from the Rugby World Cup) and still have a few more test matches to come, so we will focus on playing to our strengths.
'Our forwards pack is quite physical, dynamic, and has a huge variety of skill, which allows them to play to Hope, to play to Rachel, to play to Kate, which is positive.
'We were hoping to turn that set piece battle into more of an arm wrestle, which started pretty positive, but we just weren't able to finish the job.'
