Fuimaono-Sapolu to face hearing over Twitter remarks

SAMOAN CENTRE Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu will face a misconduct hearing after criticising Nigel Owen’s refereeing performance during his side’s loss to the Springboks last Friday.

Fuimaono-Sapolu slammed the Welsh whistler during a foul-mouthed rant on Twitter, describing his officiating as “absolutely horrendous” during the 13-5 loss to the Boks.

He intimated Owens wanted South Africa to win the game to all-but guarantee a Welsh path to the quarter-finals.

“I can understand the hate!! Haha good luck u racist biased prick,” Fuimaono tweeted.

“Get s.a into next round. The plan was obvious.

“I'm proud to be Samoan. IRB, my bum, kiss it.”

The International Rugby Board issued a statement saying "the charge follows a previous formal warning issued to the Samoa Rugby Union regarding social media conduct by the same player”.

Fuimaono-Sapolu wasn’t sanctioned by the game’s governing body after he spoke out about the four-day turnaround his side had between its opening game against Namibia and key pool clash against Wales.

Jeff Blackett of England will hear Fuimaono-Sapolu's case later today.