Fijian Drua statement: Ugly scenes at AAMI Park
The Fijian Drua have issued a statement following ugly scenes during their game with the Melbourne in which a member of the crowd was ejected for allegedly racially abusing Frank Lomani.
The match turned ugly following a number of ill-discipline by Fijian Drua players, with the side ultimately finishing the game with just 13 men.
Drua lost former Rebels halfback Lomani to a red card for a deliberate foul when he elbowed the back of the head of lock Josh Canham.
Disgusting play from Frank Lomani rightfully red card carded and should get a hefty ban for this. 🤮
Incredibly dangerous. pic.twitter.com/8Bc3X0PJo0
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) April 5, 2024
As Lomani made his way to the sideline supporters were heard abusing him and at least one was subsequently removed from the stadium for hurling racist abuse at the halfback.
The Melbourne Rebels have apologised to the Fijian Drua over the incident.
A statement from the Drua reads: "The Fijian Drua are shocked at the alleged racial abuse suffered by one of our players during Friday night’s match against the Rebels in Melbourne. Clearly there is no place for racism of any kind anywhere. We all have a duty to protect players and staff from situations which go against the values of our game.
"We are thankful to the Melbourne Rebels for reaching out with an apology and for assuring us that an investigation to identify the person(s) at fault is underway. We note that the Tournament [SRP] is also independently assessing the matter. We’re also providing Frank Lomani with the support he needs at this time.
"The alleged actions of one or two individuals will not affect the warm relationship we have with rugby fans in Melbourne, which is truly one of the world’s great sporting cities.
"We will return to Melbourne this very week as the Rooster Chicken Fijian Drua women take on Rebels women in the crucial final round of Buildcorp Super Rugby Women. We look forward to meeting and engaging with as many fans as possible at AAMI Park on Saturday."
Both Lomani and Fijian Drua prop Jone Koroiduadua - who was also red-carded for 'Physical abuse' of an opposition player during an incident 54 minutes into the game - are facing a SANZAAR disciplinary committee. Koroiduadua joined Lomani on the bench when he was red-carded after attempting to head-butt Rebels hooker Alex Mafi.
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Ahh too many OK 7’s out there at the moment, would have loved to have Harmon (and Boshier from Panasonic) included on that list (although I don’t know what I’m looking at with those stats!). I would love to see another 7 come through like Cane (who VdF has molded off), who was a real attacking machine before his neck injury and inability to turn his head/upper body to pass or catch properly forced his style to change. No sure McReight is it, he looks more like a canny McCaw than the blasters Hooper and Cane were. The real issue is what use can Schmidt mold out of his ability and skills in just two short seasons. I think Cale could do a lot of the more skillful stuff. McReight is probably best to knuckle down and do the core duties a modern day Cane performs for the other two loosies (if he’s the best Schmidt has to play with at 7).
Go to commentsI’ve little doubt that England is comfortably the No 1 team and not only beat other teams but beat them easily. Not so sure about France. They should be No 2 after winning 3 of last 4 matches against NZ and only a straightforward missed kick prevented it from being 4 out of 4. However, then they inexplicably lost to Canada and Wallaroos in WXV. I thought the NZ match was their “cup final” and they took the others lightly, but they were not particularly impressive in 6N except in flashes. I think they have stood still whilst Canada and England have moved forward but I don't think Canada has the depth and their team is ageing. I agree NZ not moving forward. What will be interesting is how the Wallaroos fare against NZ and then again in their September match against Ireland and then in WXV2 against other 6N teams. I was surprised they lost to USA.
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