Fiji centre, Adrea Cocagi, has received a five-match sanction for a dangerous clear out in their Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2024 match against Tonga on 6 September at Teufaiva Stadium in Nukuʻalofa.
The Pacific Nations Cup is operating the simplified red card sanction trial, an initiative born from the Shape of the Game forum earlier this year aimed at simplifying rugby’s off-field disciplinary processes.
A Red Card Sanction Committee (RCSC) found that the offending was a high degree of danger and an always illegal act which satisfied the definition of “aggravated foul play” under the new process. Aggravated foul play is defined as situations where a player has acted in a highly reckless manner, or the player has not attempted a legal rugby action.
The RCSC met on 7 September, 2024, and was chaired by Rhian Williams (Wales), joined by panel members Donal Courtney (Ireland) and Valeriu Toma (Romania). Having considered all the available evidence, and all available camera angles, the RCSC found the offending warranted a four-match sanction for “aggravated foul play”. Having reviewed the player’s disciplinary record, and noting that the player had received a red card within the preceding 12 months, the RCSC increased the sanction by one match.
This sanction was accepted by the player.
The player is therefore suspended for the following matches:
- Pacific Nations Cup semi-final v USA – 14 September, 2024
- Pacific Nations Cup final/third place play-off – 21 September, 2024
- Top 14 – Castres v Lyon – 28 September, 2024
- Top 14 – Castres v Toulouse – 5 October, 2024
- Top 14 – Castres v Pau – 12 October, 2024
For more information on the red card sanction trial, click here.
