Drua coach wants culprit banned
Fijian Drua head coach Mick Byrne has labelled the racial abuse allegedly directed at one of his players “a disgrace” and called for the fan responsible to be handed a lifetime ban.
Sanzaar has launched an investigation into allegations Fijian Drua star Frank Lomani was called a “black c...” by a Melbourne Rebels supporter during a Super Rugby fixture at AAMI Park on Friday.
Lomani was sent off when he elbowed Josh Canham, of the Rebels, in the back of the head at the base of a ruck.
He was left visibly shaken after bring shown the red card. Stan Sport cameras captured Lomani turning around to the crowd after making his way to the bench.
“It’s a disgrace,” Bryne told the Sydney Morning Herald on Sunday. “Our players need to be protected. It’s ridiculous that someone is going to come to a game and stoop to that level in 2024. It should be a safe place for players. They are doing their best every weekend.”
In a statement, Sanzaar tournament director Matt Barlow said: “The tournament has been made aware of a potential off-field incident between a player and spectator during the second half of the Melbourne Rebels versus Fijian Drua match on Friday [April 5] evening and is investigating.”
The Rebels reached out to the Drua on Saturday morning and are helping with the investigation. Former Rebels chief executive Baden Stephenson, who was made redundant in February, is looking into the matter in his new role as interim general manager of the Drua.
Drua fan Neisau Tuidraki, who was at the match in Melbourne, posted her account of the incident on social media platform X.
“Absolutely disgusted with a group of Rebel supporters who threw racial slurs at Frank Lomani tonight,” Tuidraki wrote.
“They were becoming more obnoxious as they drank. So when Frank came off they proceeded to scream at him ‘F— off’ and then the cherry on top ‘black c– ’. AAMI security were hopeless, the Drua supporters asked security to eject them all.”
A man was ejected from AAMI Park after the alleged incident.
Byrne wants to see a life ban for the culprit and said support had been offered to Lomani.
“You lose your right to come and watch the football live,” Byrne said. “If they’re able to get hold of this guy and he is a Rebels member, then I would expect him to no longer be a member of the Rebels. Watch it at home in the safety of your own lounge room and you can say what you like
Mick Byrne, Drua coach
because no one can hear you.
“There’s never been a reason to say it but in 2024, you have to be aware that it’s unacceptable behaviour. It’s ridiculous. These Fijian players provide some of the best spectacles of the game ... and yet they’re exposed to this low behaviour. It blows my mind.
“From our perspective, we were happy with the Rebels reaching out on Saturday morning saying they are investigating it. I’ve had a chat to him since then. He’s a strong man.
“I would like to think they are trying to make a statement around support. He shouldn’t ever come to another game of rugby.”
The Drua also had Jone Koroiduadua sent off six minutes from full-time in their 41-20 loss.
Lomani is one of Fiji’s best rugby players and helped the national team pull off a remarkable upset win over the Wallabies in the pool stages at last year’s Rugby World Cup.
“Our players need to be protected. It’s ridiculous that someone is going to come to a game and stoop to that level in 2024. It should be a safe place for players.’’