Districts push for World Rugby rules after coin toss deciders

There has been a call from districts to review the Fiji Primary Schools Rugby Union terms of participation (TOP) following the Vodafone Fiji Kaji and Kajiana tournament which ended in Suva yesterday. 

This was after some team management shared their disappointment on the coin toss to determine the winner deeming it unfair. 

The fate of teams who drew nil-all at full-time was determined by a coin toss; these teams included the quarterfinal match between Cakaudrove U13 girls and Navosa, U13 boys quarterfinal match between Ovalau and Serua, Nadroga U14 boys against Cakaudrove. 

The TOP states the following in terms of a draw: 

• The winner will be awarded to the team with the most tries. 
• If the draw remains, then the most number of converted tries. 
• If the draw still remains, then the winner shall be determined by whichever team scored the first try. 
• If the draw still remains, then the winner shall be decided by whichever team scored the first point. 
• If the draw remains, then there shall be a coin toss to determine the winner. 

Nadroga Under-14 boys manager Akuila Madua said winners should be determined by playing extra three minutes or kicking goals. 

“There is a need to review the TOP, so that it will be fair; we’ve travelled all this way and only to get here to have the winner decided by a coin toss,” he said. 

Vaviana Racule manageress of the Ovalau U13 boys said having her team lose out in the toss demoralised her team’s spirit. 

“These students looked forward to play to win and not decided this way. While we understand its in the TOP, it needs to be changed. This was not the pool game, it was the quarterfinal. They should abide by the World Rugby rules- to determine the winner by a try or penalty.” 

A Cakaudrove team manager who did not want to be named also shared similar sentiments. 

“We’re asking for a review; to travel miles, train these students for weeks only to have the winner decided by a coin toss is not fair with the amount of work we’ve put in. 

“They’ve trained hard, resources used to prepare a team; at least give them three minutes each half or kick to goals. 

“We urge the organisers to look into this and change the TOP.” 

Tournament director Rusiate Wadali said change can only be made by the executives of the Fiji Primary Schools Rugby Union at their Annual General Meeting (AGM) or Special General Meeting (SGM). 

“For these situations, if it’s a nil-all, it’s a straight toss,” Wadali said. 

He said the coin toss clause was adopted this year. 

“We are preparing our report, where we’ll recommend improvement and changes,” he said. 

“We’ll just recommend alignment with World Rugby, and that will be presented to the executives to decide and take it further.” 

Main Final Results: 

U13 girls: Cakaudrove 12-5 Nadroga 

U14 girls: Suva Blues 30-5 Navosa 

U13 boys: Suva Blues 7-0 Cakaudrove 

U14 boys: Tailevu 7-0 Nadroga 

Plate Final: 

U13 girls: Ra 5-19 Taveuni 

U14 girls: Ba 10-19 Northland 

U13 boys: Ovalau 5-13 Lautoka 

U14 boys: Namosi 0-5 Suva Blues 

Bowl Final: 

U13 girls: Lautoka 5-19 Rewa 

U14 girls: Ra 7-17 Kadavu 

U13 boys: Macuata 0-3 Taveuni 

U14 boys: Nadi 10-5 Ovalau 

Shield: 

U13 girls: Ovalau 19-0 Yasawa 

U14 girls: Taveuni 39-0 Suva White 

U13 boys: Yasawa 10-10 Ba 

U14 boys: Ra 14-14 Koro.