Flying Fijians coach John McKee and Australia rugby coach Michael Cheika [Source: rugby.com.au]

Australia rugby coach has slammed the Flying Fijians coaching staff for Reece Hodge’s no arms tackle on Peceli Yato, to the citing commissioner.

The Flying Fijians management opted to refer Hodge’s tackle after the match officials had decided against taking action on-field.

Under World Rugby laws, teams have 12 hours to refer an incident to the citing commissioner, who then determines whether it requires further action.

Michael Cheika told rugby.com.au that he was surprised that Fiji had opted to refer the incident and the Fijians were disappointing in doing so.

He says there was a lot of friendly discussion with himself and John McKee and the Fijian mentor had talked to other coaches in the Wallabies set up.

Cheika goes on to say there was no mention of anything and finds Fiji’s action is not in the spirit of the game.

He says he would have preferred the Fijian coaches come up to him and “if they were really upset about it, not to then talk to me in that nice sort of friendly chitty chat way and then put in a referral, don’t think I’ve ever referred anyone.”

World Rugby is yet to determine the timing of Hodge’s hearing.