Fiji wing Noa Nakaitaci and full-back Vereimi Vakatawa have made themselves unavailable for their country's end-of-year rugby tour to Europe, citing commitments to their French clubs.
Coach Inoke Male said he had offered the young players places in the Fiji squad for the tour but they had declined. Nakaitaci plays for Clermont and Vakatawa for Racing-Metro in the Top 14 competition.
Fiji coaching director Franck Boivert is unhappy with the duo's decision.
"It' disappointing that two of our young players have turned down the offer (to play for Fiji)," he said.
Fiji will play England on November 10, Gloucester on November 13, Ireland A on November 17 and Georgia on November 24.
Under IRB regulations, clubs are not required to release their players until the days leading up to the England match.
Comments
rakavi187 says...
@ melkdave
agree with you there. I think the two players respective clubs have made the decision for them... also a few days back, Vakatawa has actually made it known that he wants to make it for France. Not sure about Nakaitaci.
@georgesmith
even if we find the sponsors, it will still not be enough to compete with the Euros.
Posted 21:47 02nd October 2012
rugbymarc says...
@5Lock4forward: You are right; the article is poorly researched. Virimi Vakatawa has made it clear that he wants to play for France, and is being backed in this ambition by Simon Raiwalui, the Racing Metro Forwards coach, a former Fijian International himself. Virimi's prefered position is outside centre, but is equally adapt on the wing. To my knowledge he has never played at Full Back. Arriving at RMC 92's academy as an 18 year old, he feels his future is in France.
Noa Nakaitaci played for Fiji in the JWC, U 20s, which leaves him eligable to play for France, under the 3 year residency IRB rule. In Wales, the U 20s is considered as defining one's nationality, in Fiji, it's the Warriors, their B team.
@ georgesmith: Sponsors will always be the big question for Fiji. They have none for the forthcoming Nov tour and will be looking for a Government grant to cover it. The FRU board is made up of 'Military personnel' and thus tow the line. Remember, Fiji is run by the Military. There is a 70% home based players for the National team. I agree with your sentiments as to the loss of players.
Posted 19:22 02nd October 2012
melkdave says...
@5Lock4Ward
They are uncapped players ,but i dont think they are looking to qualify for France either,i thnk their clubs have said their main proity is to them,Shame really ,as every team needs young blood pushing the incumbents for their places.
Posted 14:05 02nd October 2012
georgesmith says...
Either way... Fiji needs to wake up and start contracting its players. Fiji needs to find sponsors for top individual players so that such scenerios don't surface. If not Fiji and the islanders willl continue losing players.
Posted 14:01 02nd October 2012
5Lock4ward says...
This article lacked vital info. Are either of them previously capped by Fiji or are they holding out for the chance to represent France later on based on residency?
Posted 12:52 02nd October 2012