Fiji star slammed for sickening ‘cheap shot’ as fans call for a ‘super long ban’

Jared Wright
images of Frank Lomani's elbow to Josh Canham's head and his reaction to being red carded.

The scrum-half's actions have not gone down well.

Fijian Drua scrum-half Frank Lomani has been blasted by fans after his red card against the Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby Pacific on Friday.

The 27-year-old has faced intense scrutiny after referee Damon Murphy issued a red card to the scrum-half for a jarring elbow strike to the back of the head of Rebels forward Josh Canham.

The incident occurred in the 57th minute when Canham came through the ruck and grabbed the scrum-half, who reacted by elbowing the lock on the back of his head.

After a brief review of the incident, Murphy said that he “had seen enough” and issued the red card to Lomani, who, for some reason, looked baffled by the decision as he trotted off the pitch.

The scrum-half’s sending-off played a role in the Drua’s implosion in the second half after leading 20-8. They shipped 33 unanswered points as the Rebels came away with the win with another red card to Jone Koroiduadua for a headbutt, adding to the Drua’s woes.

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Reaction

Fans have been quick to slam the Fijian international scrum-half for his actions, with many dubbing it the ‘cheap shot of the year’.

“The deliberate elbow to the head was bad enough, but him acting indignant that they gave him a red card took the p**s,” one fan reacted on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

Another fan took exception to the commentators describing Lomani’s actions as a “brain explosion”, adding: “Bro, he elbowed him as hard as he could in the back of the head – that’s about as violent as you can get.”

Many were also quick to point out that striking someone on the back of the head is even illegal in combat sports such as the UFC and boxing, due to risks of paralysis.

“That should get you a life ban, that’s how you get someone quadriplegic,” read one post. And that “hard done” look when he receives the red makes it even more infuriating,” another post read.

Another added: “This is really bad. Can’t strike anyone but to strike him in the back of the head makes it even worse. He could’ve paralysed the rebels player. Minimum season-long ban.”

“You can’t even use downward pointed elbow strikes to the head in most professional MMA competition. This should result in a super long ban” Mark Breen added.

There were many like Mark who called for a lengthy ban.

As per World Rugby Regulation 17 on sanctions, contravening law 10.4(b), Striking another Player with the elbow carries the following sanctions: Low entry point – 2 weeks, mid-range – 6 weeks, top-end 10+ weeks with a maximum of 52 weeks.

A-P Cronje felt that it was a top-end offence, posting: “Scummiest thing I’ve seen on a rugby pitch in quite some time. Get him gone for 10 weeks minimum.”

Thankfully, Canham was seen walking around after the match but was stitched up.

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Fiji Frank Lomani

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