Vodafone Fijiana XV flanker Bulou Vasuturaga has been suspended for three matches after receiving a red card for a dangerous tackle in Fiji’s Rugby World Cup match against Canada in London yesterday morning. Canada ran out 65-7 winners over Fiji.
The Foul Play Review Committee concluded that Vasuturaga’s tackle was reckless and involved direct contact with the opposing player’s head. The red card was upheld, resulting in a three-match ban. The suspension can be reduced to two matches if she successfully completes a World Rugby Coaching Intervention program. As a result, Vasuturaga will miss the remainder of Fiji’s pool games, with the team now turning its attention to their second pool match against Scotland in Manchester this Saturday.
In a separate ruling, Samoa’s Melina Grace Salale was given a three-match suspension for a dangerous tackle. Salale has not accepted the sanction and will face a full disciplinary hearing on Monday.
This wave of sanctions reflects rugby’s ongoing emphasis on player safety and the seriousness with which dangerous tackles are treated. The trend has seen other players face similar penalties in recent weeks, underscoring the sport’s commitment to protecting players and maintaining discipline on the field. For instance, Motikiai Murray of the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua received a three-week ban after a dangerous tackle in Super Rugby Pacific, with the committee outlining a mid-range six-week entry point before a 50 percent reduction for admission and a clean disciplinary history.
While Vasuturaga’s absence will be a blow for Fiji in the pool, the situation provides opportunities for other players to step up and for the squad to demonstrate resilience as they pursue a favorable result against Scotland. The discipline cases also reinforce the broader message that safety and accountability are priorities across rugby’s professional levels, encouraging teams to adapt and grow in the face of setbacks.
Summary: Fiji’s Bulou Vasuturaga received a three-match ban for a dangerous tackle against Canada, with a potential reduction to two matches upon completing a Coaching Intervention program. Samoa’s Melina Salale also faced a three-match suspension and will undergo a full disciplinary hearing. The case adds to a wider pattern of strict enforcement aimed at player safety as teams gear up for upcoming pool fixtures.
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