Independent disciplinary process update: Mesake Doge (Fiji)

Fiji’s Mesake Doge has been cleared to play after an independent Disciplinary Committee heard his appeal against a sanction for an offence contrary to Law 9.13 (dangerous tackling). 

Mesake Doge (Fiji) appeared before an independent Disciplinary Committee on 17 September following a red card issued for an act of foul play during Fiji’s match against Canada in the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup on Sunday, 14 September, 2025.

A Foul Play Review Committee met on 15 September and originally proposed a sanction of four matches reduced to three on successful completion of the Coaching Intervention. In line with the scope of the new off-field sanction process, the sanction was not accepted by the player, and the matter referred to a Disciplinary Committee for a full hearing.

The Disciplinary Committee was chaired by Mike Heron KC (New Zealand), joined by former players Sarah Smith (Scotland) and Jamie Corsi (Wales) and met on 17 September, 2025 to consider the red card.

The disciplinary committee considered all of the evidence, including additional video footage, evidence from the player and Coach/Manager, and written and oral submissions on the player's behalf, and decided that the red card should not be upheld. The Committee considered the action in line with the Head Contact Process and agreed with the findings of the FPRC that it was an act of foul play, there was head contact, and the degree of danger was initially high, however in looking at mitigation, the committee assessed that the actions of the ball carrier were a significant contributor to the situation and amounted to mitigation under the Head Contact Process.  The Committee found the Canadian player's forearm struck the jaw of Doge, preventing his intended drop in height and instead causing him to rise up into the contact.  The Committee emphasised the unusual nature of the circumstances in this case.

 The committee therefore did not uphold the red card and Mesake Doge is free to play with immediate effect.

Read more about the expedited off-field sanction process here.

Visit World Rugby’s disciplinary hub here