FRU yet to decide on Rokovereni case

Tevita Rokovereni’s fate regarding his officiation at the HSBC SVNS series will be decided by a committee at Rugby House. 

The Male Referee of the Year at last year’s inaugural referees’ awards night was charged with drinking and driving, under the influence of alcohol, following a police checkpoint operation on Queens Road, near the Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple in Nadi last week. 

Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) referee high performance manager James Bolabiu said they have not made a decision yet. 

Rokovereni is one of World Rugby’s match officials listed in the men’s panel for the 2026 HSBC SVNS Series and is expected to officiate at the Singapore leg on January 31 to February 1. 

“We will deal with his case when we’re back to work on January 12,” Bolabiu said.

The accused represented himself, understood the charges, and pleaded guilty in court.

He appeared at the Nadi Magistrates Court on Monday, December 29. 

During mitigation, Rokovereni sought forgiveness from the court for committing the offence.

He was sentenced to pay a fine of $1000 by Magistrate Talei Kean. 

The court imposed a stop-departure order and the surrender of travel documents, preventing the accused from travelling overseas until the fine is fully paid.

The accused told the court that he intended to pay the fine within two weeks, as he plans to travel overseas before February.

Rokovereni was granted bail of $500 bond.

The matter has been adjourned for a review of the fine on January 12, to ensure compliance with the court’s orders.

The Namara, Tailevu lad has officiated at two Olympic Games; first at the 2021 Games inTokyo, Japan in 2021 and Paris, France in 2024.

He became the second Fijian to officiate in the HSBC 7s tournament final at the Vancouver 7s earlier last year.