Two Fijian players, sent off in the dying seconds of the World Sevens Series final against New Zealand in Dubai last weekend, have paid heavily for their indiscipline.
Samu Saumaisue and Filimoni Delasau, were given their marching orders following a fracas that broke out when New Zealand skipper Eric Rush was head-butted.
Saumaisue, the Fijian captain, has been banned for six weeks and Delasau, sent off for punching after running 20m to join the fight, ruled out for seven.
They are ineligible for the series' second round at Stellenbosch, near Cape Town, this weekend and will also miss the third round at Punte del Este, Uruguay, in early January.
Fiji, in a reversal of the Dubai seedings, are ranked first ahead of New Zealand for Stellenbosch even though they lost the fiery final 38-14.
Fiji are drawn in pool A with Canada, Namibia and Japan. Pool B comprises New Zealand, Argentina, Georgia and Zimbabwe. Pool C features Australia, France, Tonga and Morocco and pool D South Africa, Samoa, Uruguay and Kenya.
Rugby: Lengthy bans for Fijians
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.