Doge receives an official warning only, free to play in the next match

Swire Shipping Fijian Drua veteran prop Mesake Doge is free to play in Drua’s next matches after receiving only an official warning from the Super Rugby Pacific Foul Play Review Committee (FPRC) following his citation for a dangerous play in a ruck during his side's 52-15 defeat to the Western Force at HBF Park on Sunday.

Doge was found guilty by the committee and he also admitted early to the act of foul play.

The incident occurred in the final minute of the game, with Doge entering a ruck and making heavy contact with Force captain Jeremy Williams.

While not penalised by referee Nic Berry at the time, the Citing Commissioner subsequently deemed the incident met the Red Card threshold for foul play.

The FPRC disagreed with this assessment and determined that while the act of foul play was deliberate, it was close to but did not reach the Red Card threshold.

The Drua will be on a bye this week and will return next Saturday where they will take on the Crusaders at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.

Meanwhile, in the round 8 matches of the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific this week, the Hurricanes will take on the Waratahs at 6.05pm tomorrow, the Brumbies will play the Highlanders at 8.35pm tomorrow, the Crusaders will take on Moana Pasifika at 6.05pm Saturday and the Reds will play the Force at 8.35pm Saturday.