Anonymous Fijians fined for drinking

The Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) has fined six players for going out drinking during their World Cup campaign which saw the Pacific island nation dumped out in the pool stage.

FRU Chairman colonel Mosese Tikoitoga had ordered six players fined after they broke camp during the tournament to go drinking, contributing to the side's dismal showing, according to Radio Fiji.

"They went out nightclubbing, while some breached the clauses of their contract," Tikoitoga said.

He declined to name the players or reveal how much they had been fined.

The fijivillage.com news website reported all FRU posts would be advertised as a result of the World Cup flop.

Fiji went into the tournament with a reputation as giantkillers after reaching the quarterfinals in the 1987 and 2007 editions.

But the players failed to emerge from a tough pool group after being thrashed 66-0 by Wales, 49-3 by South Africa, succumbing 27-7 to Pacific rivals Samoa and leaking 25 points to unfancied Namibia in their only victory.

As a result, Fiji slipped from 12th to 16th in the world rankings but, perhaps more importantly, also dented the side's reputation for exciting, expansive rugby with a series of turgid, defensive displays.

AFP