‘A disgrace’: Drua coach wants culprit banned for life as rugby chiefs investigate alleged racial abuse on Fijian star by Rebels Fan

The head coach of the Fijian Drua, Mick Byrne, branded the alleged racist taunts aimed at one of his players “a disgrace” and demanded that the offending fan receive a lifelong ban.

SANZAAR has opened an inquiry following claims that a Melbourne Rebels fan referred to Fijian player Frank Lomani as a “black c—” during Friday’s Super Rugby match.

Following an altercation in the second half of the game at AAMI Park, Lomani was clearly rattled. The event transpired subsequent to the halfback receiving a red card for pushing Rebels second-row player Josh Canham in the back of the head during a ruck.

Lomani made his way to the bench and then turned around to face the audience, as seen on Stan Sport cameras.

Bryne told this masthead on Sunday, “It’s a disgrace.” “Our athletes must be safeguarded. That someone would attend a game in 2024 and descend to that level is absurd. The players should feel safe there. Every weekend, they give it their all.

“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 [5 April] evening and is investigating,” SANZAAR tournament director Matt Barlow stated in a statement sent to this masthead.

On Saturday morning, the Rebels made contact with the Drua and are assisting with the inquiry. Baden Stephenson, the former chief executive of the Rebels who was laid go in February, is investigating the situation in his current position as the Drua’s temporary general manager.

Neisau Tuidraki, a Drua fan who attended the Melbourne match, shared her story on social networking platform X.
“Frank Lomani was subjected to racist taunts by a group of Rebel supporters tonight, and I am deeply offended,” Tuidraki wrote.

The more they drank, the more annoying they became. Thus, they yelled at Frank, “F— off,” and then “black c-,” as the icing on the cake. The Drua fans begged security to remove them all because they thought AAMI security was worthless.

Following the reported incident, AAMI Park saw the ejection of a guy.

Byrne stated that Lomani had received support and that he wanted to see the offender banned for life.

Byrne declared, “You forfeit your right to attend and watch the football game live.” “I would expect him to stop being a member of the Rebels if they manage to capture this guy and he is a member of the Rebels.” You can watch it in the privacy of your own living room at home, where no one can hear you say whatever you want.

“It’s never been appropriate to say this, but you have to understand that this is unacceptable behavior in 2024. It’s absurd. Even though these Fijian athletes produce some of the best displays in the game, they are subjected to this deplorable behavior. It’s mind-blowing.

“In our opinion, it was good that the Rebels contacted us early on Saturday to let us know that they are looking into it. Since then, we’ve spoken on the phone. He is a powerful man.

“My assumption is that they’re attempting to convey a message of support. He must never attend another rugby match.

In their 41-20 defeat, the Drua also had Jone Koroiduadua sent off six minutes from the end.

One of the top rugby players in Fiji, Lomani assisted his team in a thrilling upset victory over the Wallabies during the Rugby World Cup pool stages the previous year.

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