Player indiscipline to be addressed 09 March, 2011 Round one of the Digicel Cup last weekend saw a total of 25 yellow cards and six red cards flashed across the six senior games and five U20 games played over the weekend. 

A closer look at the offences for each card reveals only one card was given on a failure to abide by a technical aspect of the game – improper binding by the tight head prop. 

Every other card, and there were 30 others, was given due to player indiscipline for offences such as punching, dangerous tackles, stomping, playing an opponent without the ball, late charges and tripping. 

Fiji Rugby Union development manager Sale Sorovaki believes the high number of offences is unacceptable. 

“The high count of yellow cards shouldn’t be tolerated and should be addressed by each Union,” Sorovaki said. 

“From a player’s point of view, they have to respect the laws of the game and play inside that. We all have a part to play in the development of the game in our nation. The referees can only call what they see.” 

The former Flying Fijians skipper also believes coaches have a part to play when it comes to foul play. 

“It is the duty of every coach to see their players are not only trained correctly but are reminded at all times to play within the laws as well as within the boundaries of fair play. Respect the game, respect the law and respect your fellow human being – whether that person be a player or match official.” 

FRU Games Committee chairman Rafaele Kasibulu has said the Games Committee will come down hard on players who continue to show ill discipline. 

“For us to have 31 cards in one weekend of rugby is very poor indeed,” Kasibulu said. 

“The Games Committee will be taking a very serious view of any players who continue to show bad behaviour on the field of play, and there will certainly be no leniency if match officials are targeted, which thankfully hasn’t happened in round one.” 

The FRU development team led by Sorovaki will be travelling around the country during the remainder of the week as per their normal union visits and will, at the same time, be reinforcing the need for better discipline to all players and team officials.