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'Unacceptable' - 130kg Stade Francais prop blasted for moment of madness
By Ian Cameron
A moment of madness from a Fijian international has been branded 'unacceptable' by the Fiji Rugby Union's General Manager of High-Performance. Stade Francais prop Luke Tagi was sent off as his side fell to a home defeat to Top 14 rivals Bayonne at the Stade Jean-Bouin.
The 130kg prop head-butted Ugo Boniface in the face as the scrum came up and was sent off for his efforts. Bayonne went on to win 26 - 19 in a rare away victory. It was the Fijian's first sending off in professional rugby.
“Frankly it’s terrible to commit such a professional foul. It’s a real shame and puts us in a difficult position for the games to come,” Stade Francais head coach Gonzalo Quesada following the game.
Commenting on the incident on Twitter, Simon Raiwalui wrote: "I am the first person to highlight & promote our Fijian players worldwide. In being consistent I have to say that it is unacceptable the act of foul play Luke Tagi committed today. We want our players playing at the highest of levels at the best clubs/teams, not good enough..."
While Tagi was rightly lambasted, fellow Fijian Joe Ravouvou was winning praise. The former New Zealand Sevens international scored his first try for Bayonne after making the switch to the fifteen made code. Ravouvou signed with Aviron Bayonnais rugby for two years, having previously played fifteens for Auckland and Bay of Plenty in New Zealand.
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Latest Comments
There are a number of commercial avenues that arise from having a draft. Draft day in itself is a large commercial event that draws huge revenues from broadcasters and sponsors.
The context you added is “rugby’s current interest levels” but I don’t see how interest levels wouldnt be stimulated by a draft if it was done correctly. We already have fairly robust player movement in Super Rugby - a draft is really just adding in some structure and showmanship to the whole thing.
Your suggestions for a draft make sense - I would set the pathways alongside the U20s programs (min age of 20) but I wouldnt cap it, I would also allow players to come from any pathway - club, university and provincial competitions.
Go to commentsI know JGP and Lowe never played for the All Blacks but they were both multi year super rugby players. At the time Lowe was closer to ABs but I’m sure JGP would’ve made it at some point.
Either way those examples are terrible. Born, grew up and went though a development system where they became professionals. The barrier to represent another nation should be higher. Maybe the 5 year rule stops it, let’s see.
With the stand down, wonder if you could make it tier 1 > tier 2 only for switching? I’m guessing that’s the whole intention rather then say Sotutu going to England or Hodgman going ABs > wallabies.
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