Sireli Bobo: Missed the 2011 Pacific Nations Cup and RWC
Former Racing Metro backs coach Simon Mannix has backtracked on comments he allegedly made that Fijian players at the Parisian club were paid to miss the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.
Mannix had claimed that Racing made payments to encourage Sireli Bobo, Jone Qovu, Josh Matavesi and Virimi Vakatawa to be unavailable for the 2011 Pacific Nations Cup, effectively ruling them out of World Cup selection.
But in a statement to AFP on Monday, Mannix claimed that comments made by him during an IRB radio show "Total Rugby" in January 2012 had been distorted.
"The comments that were attributed to me in this broadcast should be clarified because they were distorted and do not correspond to reality," said Mannix, who joined Munster as their back-line coach at the end of last season.
"In fact, I had just wanted to say that if the club Racing Metro 92 had wanted to, they could have easily compensated the Fijians and presented a cheque to those who did not wish to participate in the World Cup.
"These (players) sometimes prefer to consolidate their club careers faced with the organisational difficulties of rugby in the Pacific Islands and overlapping national and international competitions and their respective calendars," he added.
Winger Bobo and second rower Qovu, who are still playing for Racing Metro, cited "personal reasons" in 2011 for their decision not to play in the Pacific Nations Cup during the Top 14 season.
Racing Metro signed Cornwall-born Fijian utility back Matavesi from Exeter Chiefs as medical cover in March 2011, and he too said he wanted "to focus on his club" as did winger Vakatawa.
Comments
ArmchairGeneral says...
The problem with these Pacific Nations is they keep poaching English tallent. Just as one example: Matavesi born in Cornwall. I won't list all the others.
Posted 08:04 27th November 2012
uglea says...
If players are selected in a national squad and 'for wahtever reason' aren't available, then perhaps they should be forced to pause their rugby until the national squad has finished its duties. This would include playing club rugby
Posted 01:03 27th November 2012
DarkestHorse says...
Racing's lawyers will be dining out tonight.
Posted 23:52 26th November 2012
lacroix says...
i think it was more case that he made a rather unwise allegation without any evidence and probably had some legal advice. he's made himself look silly as a consequence.
Posted 21:00 26th November 2012
bokbokbok says...
Sounds like he isn't really 'backtracking', but rather correcting mis-reporting of what he said. Big difference!
Posted 19:17 26th November 2012
dangerous says...
Simon says do this...
Posted 19:09 26th November 2012
Ripzy007 says...
Exactly Davodiablo...Mannix STFU, no one wants to know want you think when you can't even make up your mind on what to or want to say BS...
Posted 18:36 26th November 2012
scrumpoacher says...
Stop all club rugby during RWC's Either that or play by the rules...
Posted 18:34 26th November 2012
lardon says...
Josh Matavasi has already confirmed this practice took place. The damage is done..
Posted 18:05 26th November 2012
davodiablo says...
How much was he paid to change his mind ?
Posted 16:55 26th November 2012