Blue Card to be trialed in Deans quarter finals

People need to get ready to see a Blue Card being flashed today by referees during the Vodafone Deans quarterfinal matches.

Fiji Rugby, in collaboration with New Zealand and Australian rugby trainers, will be introducing the Blue Card system starting today.

Fiji Rugby says the Blue Card is an important step forward in protecting player welfare, particularly around the issue of concussion and head injuries.

They say it allows referees to stop play and direct a player to leave the field if there is a suspected head injury.

Fiji Rugby says this is not a disciplinary card — it is a player safety measure.

Referees, in consultation with medical personnel and the TMO, can issue a Blue Card if a player is suspected to have suffered a head injury.

They say if the Blue Card is confirmed by medical staff, the player will enter a mandatory 21-day stand-down period from training and competition.

Fiji Rugby says during this time, the player will follow a Graduated Return-to-Play Protocol, overseen by qualified medical professionals.

They say only a doctor trained in Head Injury Assessment (HIA) can reassess and potentially clear a player earlier than 21 days.

This initiative is being trialed in the Deans competition before being considered for wider roll-out to other levels of rugby in Fiji, including Skipper Cup, U20, clubs, and schools.

The Blue Card has been successfully used in New Zealand and Australia for several years, and our referees are receiving targeted training to ensure it is used correctly and carefully.

Fiji Rugby says it is not about punishing players or giving referees more power — it’s about making rugby safer for everyone involved.

They thank the Fiji Rugby Football Union Board, the Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby Association, our international trainer partners, and the Fiji Referees Interim Committee for making this important step possible.

Fiji Rugby says their goal is clear: to protect our players, educate our rugby community, and build a safer future for the game.