Fiji enlist 2007 World Cup final referee Rolland to sharpen discipline ahead of Wales opener

Fiji have recruited former Test referee Alain Rolland to help sharpen their discipline ahead of Saturday’s Nations Championship opener against Wales, as the Flying Fijians also confirmed that veteran tighthead Mesake Doge has been called into the squad to replace the unavailable Luke Tagi.

Rolland, who refereed the 2007 Rugby World Cup final and served as an assistant referee in the 2011 final, was invited by Fiji’s management to hold a laws session at the team’s Welsh base. Using multiple screens, he walked players through in-play scenarios they are likely to encounter and tested their decision-making under pressure, with a particular focus on current law interpretations. The session was designed to bridge the gap between players accustomed to European officiating and members of the Fijian Drua, who completed another season of Super Rugby Pacific.

The disciplinary preparation reflects Fiji’s determination not to undermine their own cause in their Nations Championship home matches against Wales, England and Scotland.

Tagi, the Bayonne prop who featured in five matches during the 2023 Rugby World Cup across two wins and three losses before Fiji were eliminated at the quarter-final stage, has withdrawn for personal reasons. Fiji officials did not disclose the nature or duration of his commitments.

Doge, who was among the standout performers for the Fijian Drua during the Super Rugby Pacific season, had been a surprise omission from interim head coach Senirusi Seruvakula’s original 32-member squad despite featuring in the initial 50-man group. He becomes the third replacement in the camp, following Worcester prop Livai Natave coming in for Atu Sokobale and Isikeli Rabitu stepping up for the injured Vinaya Habosi. The remaining props in the Flying Fijians squad are Peni Ravai, Natave, Eroni Mawi and Tim Hoyt.