'Unacceptable' - 130kg Stade Francais prop blasted for moment of madness

A moment of madness from a Fijian international has been branded ‘unacceptable’ by the Fiji Rugby Union’s General Manager of High-Performance. Stade Francais prop Luke Tagi was sent off as his side fell to a home defeat to Top 14 rivals Bayonne at the Stade Jean-Bouin.

The 130kg prop head-butted Ugo Boniface in the face as the scrum came up and was sent off for his efforts. Bayonne went on to win 26 – 19 in a rare away victory. It was the Fijian’s first sending off in professional rugby.

And here is Luke Tagi's red card

His first sending off in professional rugby and leaves #SFParis' Gonzalo Quesada with a tight-head prop headache with Paul Alo-Emile already suspended #SFPAB #Top14 pic.twitter.com/rFqLrUvZ6r

— Illtud W. Dafydd (@IlltudDafydd) October 3, 2020

“Frankly it’s terrible to commit such a professional foul. It’s a real shame and puts us in a difficult position for the games to come,” Stade Francais head coach Gonzalo Quesada following the game.

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Commenting on the incident on Twitter, Simon Raiwalui wrote: “I am the first person to highlight & promote our Fijian players worldwide. In being consistent I have to say that it is unacceptable the act of foul play Luke Tagi committed today. We want our players playing at the highest of levels at the best clubs/teams, not good enough…”

I am the first person to highlight & promote our Fijian players worldwide. In being consistent I have to say that it is unacceptable the act of foul play Luke Tagi committed today. We want our players playing at the highest of levels at the best clubs/teams, not good enough…

— Simon Raiwalui (@SimonRaiwalui) October 3, 2020

While Tagi was rightly lambasted, fellow Fijian Joe Ravouvou was winning praise. The former New Zealand Sevens international scored his first try for Bayonne after making the switch to the fifteen made code. Ravouvou signed with Aviron Bayonnais rugby for two years, having previously played fifteens for Auckland and Bay of Plenty in New Zealand.