Drua duo cited over possible eye gouge

3 Oct 2017 NRC

Apisalome Waqatabu is one player who has been cited over a potential eye gouge. Photo: Getty Images

Two Fijian Drua players have been cited for potential eye gouging after their round five NRC loss to the Canberra Vikings.

Eroni Vasiteri and Apisalome Waqatabu will both have to front the NRC judiciary over the possible eye gouge on Vikings hooker Folau Faingaa.

Faingaa reported the incident, in the 21st minute of the Vikings’ 66-5 win over Fiji, immediately to the referee.

The hearing will take place at ARU HQ on Thursday October 5.

The news comes just weeks after Drua hooker Samu Suguturaga was hit with a 20-week suspension for biting Brisbane City hooker Andrew Ready.

Vikings coach Tim Sampson, speaking on Tuesday before official confirmation of the judiciary, said he felt the incident had been handled well during the game and afterwards.

“I don't know any more...at this stage, but that's gone through the process and the right avenues, so we'll just move on and focus on Melbourne for this weekend,” he said.

Sampson said he had watched little vision of the incident in the days after the match.

“No one likes to see that in sport. I haven't had a good look at it myself.

“I had a quick look Friday night after the game but we'll just let the right people make the decision.”

The Vikings will have the services of Wallabies lock Rory Arnold at their disposal this weekend when they take on the Rising, with the second rower released from the Test squad.

Fiji currently sits fourth in the NRC, in the finals mix, with a trip to Sydney to face the Rams this weekend.