Another Fiji star rules himself out of the Rugby World Cup

Jared Wright
Fiji's Peceli Yato runs with the ball during the first half of the match against Australia of the 2019 Rugby World Cup Japan at Sapporo Dome in Sapporo

Fiji back rower Peceli Yato in action against Australia during the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

Fiji will be without Clermont star back-rower Peceli Yato for Rugby World Cup 2023, head coach Simon Raiwalui has confirmed.

The 30-year-old has ruled himself out of contention for the tournament in France, which would have been this third Rugby World Cup.

Peceli Yato rules himself out

Yato was named in the extended squad to prepare for the tournament and trained with the team as they prepared for the Test match against Tonga.

Raiwalui confirmed to FBC News that Yato decided to leave the squad on his own accord and that the coaching staff respected his decision.

The head coach added that Yato led ‘from the front’ during the three-week training camp and that the staff respected his decision.

He recently signed a two-year contract extension, with the option of a third year, with Clermont, who he joined back in 2014.

Montpellier were reportedly keen to sign the back-rower, but ultimately, he opted to remain with the club, for whom he has played over 150 games for winning the Top 14 and Challenge Cup.

A replacement has yet to be called in to replace the back-rower who has over 30 Test caps for Fiji as he becomes the second Fiji player to rule himself out of Rugby World Cup contention.

Api Ratuniyarawa signs with Bayonne

Lock Api Ratuniyarawa also made himself unavailable for selection after signing with Top 14 club Bayonne as Rugby World Cup cover.

 

The 37-year-old was left without a club after London Irish’s demise and has been recruited by Bayonne to cover for Georgian Konstantine Mikautadze, Uruguayan Manuel Leindekar and Argentine Lucas Paulos, who all expected to present their countries at World Cup.

The 40 Test cap lock has previous experience in France after playing 71 games for Agen before heading to Northampton Saints.

During his time in the Premiership with Northampton and London Irish, he played 130 matches, notching up a ton with Saints.

Raiwalui told FBC News that he had an emotional conversation with Ratuniyarawa, where the lock explained that family came first.

Fiji defeated Tonga 36-20 this weekend and will face Samoa, who beat Japan 22-24, next week.

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