Fiji's Simione Kuruvoli gets rare permanent red card for 'pretty disgusting' act

Fiji scrumhalf Simione Kuruvoli was handed a rare permanent red card by referee Hollie Davidson after a mindless kicking incident during his side’s Nations Championship clash with England at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday.

Just before half-time, Fiji had what would have been their first try of the game scrubbed off after England loosehead prop Ellis Genge complained of being kicked by the Fijian number nine.

A subsequent TMO review proved damning for Kuruvoli.

Replays showed Genge briefly holding the scrumhalf after a tackle. Although the England forward had fully let go of Kuruvoli, the Fijian reacted by kicking back strongly into the loosehead’s chest.

Davidson wasted no time in issuing a permanent red card, explicitly stating there was no mitigation or evidence that Kuruvoli was being held at the exact moment he delivered the kick to Genge. While some replays suggested Genge had held the nine’s boot in for a brief second during the initial entanglement, it was not enough to save Kuruvoli from the ultimate sanction.

The incident was described on X as a “pretty disgusting” and “senseless” act and perfectly summed up Fiji’s poor showing in Liverpool. The dismissal compounded a miserable first half for the Islanders, who went into the break trailing 35-3 with barely a look in against a dominant England side.

A dreadful ending to a dreadful half for Fiji 🫣

Kalaveti Ravouvou had just scored Fiji’s first try of the match, but Simione Kuruvoli was spotted kicking out at Ellis Genge, and it’s a permanent red for the scrum-half 🟥#NationsChampionship pic.twitter.com/hVXYiYMd3X

— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) July 11, 2026

“Headless stuff from Kuruvoli, nothing other than sheer petulance to kick out at Genge there,” wrote another account. “Hollie Davidson has the gaul to give a direct red card.”

“Even if Genge was holding onto the Fijian 9, there’s no mitigation for kicking someone in the chest,” echoed another X account. “Literally has no impact to lead to a kicking action. Deserved red.”

England entered the match in must-win territory, aiming to end a five-Test losing run and ease the pressure on head coach Steve Borthwick’s regime.