Fiji bring former World Cup final referee into camp as veteran gets call

Fiji have called up veteran tighthead Mesake Doge to replace the injured Luke Tagi ahead of Saturday’s Nations Championship opener against Wales, as the Pacific Islanders also look to sharpen their discipline under the guidance of former Test referee Alain Rolland.

Tagi, the 20st Bayonne prop, has pulled out for personal reasons, having featured in five matches during the 2023 Rugby World Cup, two wins and three losses, as Fiji were eliminated at the quarter-final stage, and his experience would have been a key factor for a Fijian team that is determined to put in a disciplined performance.

Fiji officials did not disclose the nature or duration of Tagi’s personal commitments, only that they prevent him from joining the squad for the Nations Championship campaign.

In an attempt to ensure they do not undermine their cause in their “home” matches with Wales, England and Scotland, the squad have been helped by Rolland, the former World Rugby 15s High Performance Match Official. Rolland refereed the final of the 2007 Rugby World Cup and was an assistant referee in the 2011 final, and the Fiji management asked him to hold a laws session at the team’s Welsh base.

Rolland used multiple screens to run through the kind of in-play scenarios that the Fiji players will encounter and will test their decision-making under pressure. Rolland also focused on the current law interpretations with the squad made up of players who are used to European officiating and members of the Fijian Drua who completed another season of Super Rugby Pacific.

Fixture

Nations Championship

Fiji

06:10

4 Jul 26

Wales

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Doge, who was one of the standout players for the Fijian Drua during the Super Rugby Pacific season, was one of the surprise omissions from the 32-member Flying Fijians squad that was announced by interim head coach Senirusi Seruvakula, having been included in the initial 50-member squad.

He is the third player replacement following Worcester prop Livai Natave replacing Atu Sokobale before Isikeli Rabitu stepped in for the injured Vinaya Habosi. The other props in the Flying Fijians squad are Peni Ravai, Natave, Eroni Mawi and Tim Hoyt.