League Brawl
Association to investigate and penalise players that were involved
Police had to intervene when a brawl broke out during the Vodafone Fiji Secondary Schools Under-19 semifinal clash between John Wesley College and Lelean Memorial School at the ANZ Stadium, Suva yesterday.
The fight started towards the end of the match from a tackle ‘deemed’ to be dangerous which resulted in an exchange punches from both teams with the players on the bench running in to join the fracas.
Speaking to SUNsports yesterday Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby League Association general secretary Biu Colati said the disciplinary committee will not take the matter lightly.
“Our rule will still stand and our disciplinary committee will meet on Monday to discuss on the fate of the reserve players who ran into the field to join the brawl,” Colati said.
“Usually we are hard on those who jumped into the field, it’s too early to speculate and fortunately nothing major happened.
“But then Fiji Secondary Schools will not take this matter lightly and the committee will decide on the penalties to be dished out to the players involved.” When approached LMS team manager Adi Vika Draunakacau said she was not in a position to comment on the brawl. “We will need to sit down and discuss on this,” she said.
John Wesley College principal Naisa Cama referred all questions to Colati. Fiji National Rugby League chief executive officer Timoci Naleba said players need to get their attitude right. He urged the students to maintain quality in their play and show good sportsmanship at all times.
“I have been encouraging the players to enjoy the game. One thing that we really need is to help these young boys have confident in themselves. People that compare themselves to other people are those that have low self-esteem.
“Players need to have the right attitude if they want to be going far in their rugby league careers. This players need to be good sportsmanship and be positive in every game.”
Naleba added that no one suffered any serious injuries.
LMS went on win 10-6 and will take on Ratu Kadavulevu School (RKS) in the U19 grand final next weekend. RKS edged out Marist Brothers High School 10-4.