Drua duo Frank Lomani, Jone Koroiduadua sent off after brain explosions

Fri, Apr 5, 2024, 10:00 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
Frank Lomani is red carded after a blatant strike in Round 7 of Super Rugby Pacific 2024

The Fijian Drua have been reduced to 13 men after an all-time meltdown by the visitors against the Melbourne Rebels.

It started in the 57th minute when scrumhalf Frank Lomani was sent off in the 57th minute after elbowing Rebels lock Josh Canham in the head off the ball.

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The incident came as the Drua went on the attack after the Rebels took a second-half lead thanks to three quick tries.

Returning to 14 players after a Leone Rotuisolia high tackle, Lomani took offence to a cleanout from Canham, striking him as he came through the middle of the ruck.

It collected the lock in the back of the head, instantly going down as play continued before the TMO brought the play to referee Damon Murphy's attention.

It gave Murphy little option but to red card the scrumhalf, bypassing the review system.

"Frank Lomani has had a brain explosion," said Wallabies legend Tim Horan on the Stan Sport coverage.

"He's now let his team down. They were just trying to claw back into the game and he gets a red card."

The Drua implosion continued after another brain explosion as the game wound down

With seven minutes to go, prop Jone Koroiduadua displayed his frustration after a scrum penalty, headbutting Alex Mafi.

He was red carded instantly, leaving the Drua down to 13 for the remainder of the game.

"It's total stupidity. Look at that, I'm telling you now, that is insane," fellow Stan Sport commentator Justin Harrison added.

"There's playing the game physically, there's playing the game with aggression and getting in someone's face, but you don't do that."

The Drua have struggled for discipline in past weeks, with fellow half Simione Kuruvoli yellow-carded in their extra-time win over the Waratahs for a similar off-the-ball play.

Drua coach Mick Bryne apologised after the game, calling for a more disciplined approach

"There was definitely frustration there but that's no excuse. I apologise to the people back home for the two red cards, which were costly," he said.

"The players need to find it in themselves to sort their discipline out if we want to get our season back on track."

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