Fiji’s Women’s Rugby World Cup campaign has faced a significant setback with the suspension of hooker Bitila Tawake. On Tuesday, Tawake was issued a four-match ban following a dangerous tackle during her team’s recent match against Scotland.
The incident occurred on Saturday in Manchester, where Tawake received a 20-minute red card for a shoulder-to-head tackle aimed at Scotland’s Elis Martin. After an initial disciplinary hearing on Sunday resulted in a three-game suspension, Tawake’s appeal led to a full hearing on Monday. The outcome confirmed a four-game suspension, although the fourth match could be waived if she successfully completes World Rugby’s tackle school.
Tawake’s absence will be felt in Fiji’s upcoming pool match against Wales this Saturday in Exeter. Unfortunately, the team has already been eliminated from quarterfinal contention after they lost to Scotland 29-15.
This latest ruling follows a similar fate for her teammate, Bulou Vasuturaga, who was given a three-game suspension last week due to a red card received for a high tackle against Canada during the opening round of pool matches.
As the Fiji team grapples with these challenges, it underscores the heightened focus on player safety and the strict enforcement of disciplinary actions in rugby.
