The Yamacia rugby side was eliminated from the cup competition at the 2023 McDonald’s Fiji’s Coral Coast 7s in the most unlikeliest of ways.
Despite finishing the pool stages undefeated with two wins and a draw, the Navosa-based team dropped to the bowl competition for not following tournament rules.
Yamacia held 2020 champion Police to a 5-all draw in its first match before edging Wardens 17-14 in their second match on day one.
However, the win against the Wardens was cancelled and the match points awarded to the losing team after a protest was filed.
The Yamacia side had fielded its 13th player without following proper procedures. According to tournament founding chairman Jay Whyte, Yamacia had a player injured from its 12-member squad and they decided to field the 13th player without advising organisers.
Whyte added this rule was discussed at the managers briefing on Wednesday which the Yamacia side failed to attend.
“On Wednesday when we had the managers briefing, we gave invitations to every team in the men’s, women’s and youth divisions. One of the key things we talked about at the meeting was about the medical reserve, the 13th player,” Whyte said.
He added the rules were nothing new as it had been in place for some time now.
“This has been in place since 2016. We have done all we can, we have issued all the teams the tournament manual which clearly explains what the process is.”
Whyte said while Yamacia was a good team, the administrative blunder which could have easily been avoided cost them a spot in the top eight.
“Sadly, if team managers choose not to attend briefings, then it’s solely on their shoulders. The decision they made has cost them their position in the cup quarter-finals.”
