The chairman of the Western Maroons State rugby league team for the Vanua State of Origin Series vented his frustrations at the Fiji National Rugby League for what he claims as lack of appropriate medical personnel at the ground during the match.
Joe Gray claimed players’ safety during the Pherrus Vanua Origin match one at the ANZ Stadium last weekend were not looked after properly.
“We had three concussions and the players were made to walk off the ground,” he said.
“When any player suffers a concussion, that player is supposed to be put on a stretcher and taken out of the field of play for the relevant medical authorities to render appropriate medical care.
“It was very poorly organised because there was nil medics in sight. Luckily, we had our own doctor with us.”
The president of the Nadi Aviators Rugby League Club also criticised the match referee.
“It was evident from the way the game was controlled that it was one-sided. It is clearly visible.
“We will strongly lobby for that particular match official’s non-participation in the next two games.”
Meanwhile, the acting chief executive officer of FNRL, Don Natabe downplayed Gray’s claims, saying the match doctor and support medical team were provided at match venue.
“It is a technical issue and the doctor is the best person to offer that insight on why a stretcher wasn’t utilised,” Natabe said.
The East Blues State rugby league team beat Western Maroons 10-8 in the opener of the series at the ANZ Stadium on Saturday.
The second match of the Pherrus Vanua Origin tri-series will be played on Saturday, October 17 at Lautoka’s Churchill Park.
The series pit the best players from the Western region against their counterparts from the East to stake a claim on the inaugural Tanoa Trophy.
If West wins and draws the series level, the decider will be held on 21 November.
