By Gareth James
Star centre Semi Radradra will miss Fiji’s remaining internationals this month after receiving a two-week ban for a high tackle in last weekend’s win over Wales.
Radradra, 32, was sent off after 20 minutes of Sunday’s 24-19 victory in Cardiff for a dangerous hit on Cardiff full-back Cameron Winnett.
He will miss games against Spain on Saturday and Ireland a week later, the Pacific Islanders’ final games of the November Test window.
If the 21-time capped midfielder completes a World Rugby’s coaching intervention programme he could return to action with his French club Lyon against Pau on November 30.
Tres semanas de suspensión para Semi Radradra. pic.twitter.com/alltUYSOtJ
— Periodismo Rugby (@Perrugby) November 12, 2024
Wales led 14-3 at the time of the dismissal, but the red card for Radradra – who was allowed to be replaced due to World Rugby’s 20-minute red-card trial – galvanised Fiji.
Fly-half Caleb Muntz scored 19 points through a try, four penalties and a conversion, with centre Josua Tuisova’s late score sealing matters.
Fiji head coach Mick Byrne said of the new ruling, “I think it’s a great thing for the game. I know there’s a lot of angst up in the north. We’ve been pla
“I think it’s still part of the law that if it’s deliberate foul play it’s still a full red card and I think we can’t lose sight of that. But the game’s played in such a way now that a red card can ruin the spectacle and I thought that game went right down to the wire tonight and I think that’s the idea of it.
“A yellow went to red, it’s still 20 minutes but if it was deliberate foul play it’s still a full red and that player can’t be replaced.
“So I think the game’s in a good place as far as that goes and I understand the protection around the foul play, etc but I think if there’s deliberate foul play and they call red then we’ve got the best of both worlds. We saw a great game go down to the wire tonight because it was 15 on 15.”
