SUVA - Fiji's national coach, Ilivasi Tabua, has been sacked for an alcohol-related offence, the Fiji Rugby Union said yesterday.

SUVA - Fiji's national coach, Ilivasi Tabua, has been sacked for an alcohol-related offence, the Fiji Rugby Union said yesterday.

The former Wallaby representative, known as the "human skewer" for his ferocious tackling, was guilty of serious misconduct, the union said. "The national coach is a role model to his players, fellow coaches and to the many young rugby followers around the country," chairman Bill Gavoka said.

"The incident is serious enough to warrant termination, more particularly as it occurred during the tournament in which the team rules had specifically prohibited alcohol consumption."

The incident happened during the Pacific Nations Cup tournament, played in Fiji in late June and early July.

Tabua took over as the national head coach from Wayne Pivac in 2007.

He won praise for guiding the Fijian team to the quarterfinals of the World Cup the same year. - Sapa-AFP