Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

'Unacceptable' - 130kg Stade Francais prop blasted for moment of madness

By Ian Cameron
Luke Tagi Photo by THOMAS SAMSON/AFP via Getty Images)

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

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.

Video Spacer

RugbyPass Offload – Trailer

Video Spacer

RugbyPass Offload – Trailer

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

TRENDING
TRENDING England No8 Sarah Beckett banned after leg-breaking croc roll tackle England No8 Sarah Beckett banned after leg-breaking croc roll tackle
Search