Fiji face IRB probe
26 Jan 2011
IRB representatives will travel to Fiji next month to investigate a crisis that could prevent the country from competing at the 2011 World Cup.
The IRB said in a statement that chief executive Mike Miller and regional general manager for Oceania William Glenwright would meet with senior FRU representatives in early February to discuss the issues.
‘The IRB does have concerns that the current situation could create instability and have a negative impact on the management of the union and key IRB-funded development and high performance programmes and also Rugby World Cup 2011 preparations,’ read the statement.
‘These concerns have been communicated to the union, who have fully assisted with our ongoing enquiries.’
According to the New Zealand Herald, the Fijian government offered F$3 million for World Cup preparations on the condition that the FRU resigned. The board and FRU chief executive Keni Dakuidreketi resigned and a special board meeting was due to be held next week to elect new board members.
But the Fiji Sun has revealed that the interim board had rejected Dakuidreketi’s resignation and cancelled the meeting following a letter from the IRB.
Fiji have been drawn in the same World Cup group as the Springboks.
80 Comments
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27 Jan 2011, 16:22 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-49: so now you’re enamoured with the one-handed reverse offloads?
27 Jan 2011, 16:24 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-51: and now you’re stirring…..
27 Jan 2011, 16:30 pm
@TASSIES(TASSIES)-52: i can’t even ask a question now?
27 Jan 2011, 17:36 pm
Transie
now where did I say I was….is this a Tran’p ?
27 Jan 2011, 17:58 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-54: so you think saffas should concerned about the one-handed offloads?
27 Jan 2011, 18:02 pm
@TASSIES(TASSIES)-50:
‘Jonah pre-95′ ?
well his debut vs France on home soil was none too flash actually. The ABs lost that Series 0-2 (the last Home Series lost by the ABs) and Jonah looked all at sea both offensively and defensively. But then, most would after spending your whole career – schoolboy career – as a no8 and then being selected to debut in a Test, on the wing – where he’d never played before – against the best backline in the World. He was promptly dropped after that Series, pretty harsh when youve only just turned 19yrs.
He was only a last-minute selection for RWC’95, supposedly*, but then wasnt so shabby once he was picked. He was fortunate to be 1 of only 2-3 ABs in the Final squad that was unaffected by food-poisoning and played the Final with noticeably more vigour than those that were affected. Oh yes, we’ve heard the Legend of Mulder that has its foundation in 1 scrappy tackle, and we also know that Joost “manhandled him” after 1 tackle too. We didnt hear so much about Pienaars late and high tackle, that probably never happened. Nor did we hear much about Jonah being called back, when in the clear midfield, for a forward-pass that wasnt even close to a line-ball let alone forward. Actually 1 early fumble aside, Jonah had a good Final, in my opinion. I watched it again over Christmas – what an epic match it was – and I thought Jonah was very strong throughout.
* – I say ‘supposedly’ because Laurie Mains, that God of Otago Rugby, was playing all sorts of mind-tricks as he was want. He refused to talk about Lomu in the media – who were no less than obsessed – and appeared to be trying to get Jonahs head in the right place. Those of Polynesian heritage (his parents are Tongan) can appear shy and aloof, which Jonah certainly was, and Laurie was merely trying to get his head as finely tuned as his body clearly was. It seemed to work.
27 Jan 2011, 18:11 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-55:
No, I said maybe they should concentrate more on his rugby than his boxing. Stop cheapening this conversation, Transie, SASOL-off with you.
27 Jan 2011, 18:14 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-57:
Looking forward to your trip to the good old Republic?Ask the okes here what to do when here.
27 Jan 2011, 18:38 pm
@Fern(Fern)-58:
Very much so. I had to delay departure from UK by a few weeks as my mask-incognito was not an exact fit and had to be returned to the Disguises Department.
I have been given some excellent advice here and look forward to it immensely. I even have the added incentive of arriving in time to see the Mighty Highlanders hand out a lesson to a local outfit that go by the name of the ‘Stormers’. Should be some nice light entertainment.
27 Jan 2011, 18:38 pm
Well if Fiji are in trouble, can someone explain how the Boks are fine with our meddling politicians?
27 Jan 2011, 18:46 pm
@goyougoodthing2(goyougoodthing2)-60:
Careful – the last time the IRB mentioned ‘fine’ and ‘SARU’ in the same sentence, Smitty and boys gave them the BIg Bird.
27 Jan 2011, 18:46 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-57: so the offloads are the sum of his “rugby”?
27 Jan 2011, 18:52 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-61: You mean the little armbands and Justice4? You mean one of the most embarrassing things ever to be seen on an international rugby field. You mean cringe factor 1000? Ouch. Just saying, I mean we have political influence in decisions such as who is the coach and who plays at number 9. Just as bad as Fiji IMO, in fact probably worse.
27 Jan 2011, 19:24 pm
@goyougoodthing2(goyougoodthing2)-63: mate, you’re talking nonsense. SARU as a union has are cognisant of the history of the sport in SA and hence came up with a Transformation Charter which details their own objectives.
at no point has the government ever dissolved SARU or forced it’s members to resign as has happened in Fiji..
27 Jan 2011, 19:48 pm
Naughty gygt.
Saying we are like Fiji.
Bleddy agent
27 Jan 2011, 20:06 pm
Transie
in fact, you’ve seen as much of him as I have. I am neither his agent nor his mother. What’s your opinion ? If you ever have one, that is.
I’m no fan of leaguies, this you know already.
27 Jan 2011, 20:15 pm
Transie
actually GYGT is far closer to the Fiji Dollar than you are.
The Fiji National team was always (maybe still is) selected on strictly religious basis. Depending on whether you or the selectors were either Methodist or Catholic, you got the nod or not. True story. I think the first Kiwi coach may have put this right but religion – and race (Indians are 55% of the population but never get picked. They prefer football) – was a box that needed to be picked and players were very careful when picking their club depending on the persuasion o the current selectors.
SA in skirts.
27 Jan 2011, 20:39 pm
Lions 72% of votes 1514
Stormers 17% votes 358
SHARKS 11% VOTES 338
To the Lion that is diddling the votes, you do know that you still not going to win, no matter what you make the poll say.
Didn’t know the Lions had 1514 supporters
27 Jan 2011, 20:54 pm
@Treehugger(Treehugger)-68: Hi, just have a look at ‘wetalkrugby’…fippin loads of Lions there!!
However they are very sweet and allow Bulls Fans to chat too!!
27 Jan 2011, 21:18 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-64:
To be fair tho, Transie, youre not totally wrong. Fiji dont bring these religious/racial selection excuses after every loss so the comparisons with SA arent 100% relevant.
27 Jan 2011, 21:23 pm
@carol(carol)-69: Lol carol i am messing with them, but it is still rigged.
27 Jan 2011, 23:11 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-66: i like how u and poppa have running convos/debates with me but reckon i don’t have an opinion about anything
27 Jan 2011, 23:19 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-67: since u know the fijian “problem” would u be as opposed to it’s remedy as goyougoodthing and his ilk are?
leave the trite sarcasm in ur reply this time.
28 Jan 2011, 00:16 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-72:
Good to see you adding weight to that answer by not offering one then.
28 Jan 2011, 00:24 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-73:
‘remedy’ ?
Not 100% with you there. You mean forcing ‘quotas’, ie ensuring a ‘fair’ Catholic/Methodist/Indian mix ?
Not entering in to that debate. Each culture to their own. Fiji is a tricky one; its’ Constitutional problems (eg theyre on their 4th military coup, if memory serves), is one I have had to study at length, is interesting but flawed. But they continue to shoot themselves in the foot and those that cant help themselves lose sympathy mfraid.
Lovely country, Worlds friendliest people. Great place to tour and play rugby. I look forward to many holidays there in the future.
28 Jan 2011, 06:27 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-75: at what point did i mention quotas? exclusion of people from selection here in SA was not only limited to colour, people were excluded on the basis of religion and their likely political inclinations and i don’t remember SARU instituting any quotas for non-NG kerk players.
If in your mind the only thing SARU have done to transform the game was to institute ‘quotas’ then there’s no point in carrying on further..
28 Jan 2011, 06:55 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-66: he is a talented player no doubt and will pose a threat to a lot of teams if he is given space, i have reservations about his defence though or organisation of it at 12, with him partnering with fruean – who is also not a very strong defender – will be the acid test i believe.
28 Jan 2011, 09:49 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-76:
You didnt mention quotas, thats why I put that with a question mark????. I have no idea what you meant by ‘remedies’ then.
Be off with your “If in your mind the only thing SARU have done….”. Ive never once entered that SA discussion, other than it being merely 1 of very many excuses used in the wake of SA defeats. And not even Transformation Forensic Service Ltd would find evidence to the contrary.
28 Jan 2011, 09:51 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-77:
There you go, now was that so hard ?
And I concur.
Funny. Leaguies like SBW come from a game with its foundation on big hits/defence. And yet they so often look all at sea in defense when they change to Union.
Dont want em, dont need em.
I think Fruean looks an absolute handful tho.
28 Jan 2011, 09:54 am
DVT scare had SBW thinking OMG
Brad Walter
January 28, 2011
“I thought my tour was over before it had begun” … Sonny Bill Williams. Photo: Edwina Pickles
SONNY BILL WILLIAMS has revealed that a suspected case of deep-vein thrombosis denied him the opportunity to make his Test debut against the Wallabies in Hong Kong last October and threatened to rule him out of the end-of-season tour to Europe.
Preparing for tomorrow night’s boxing bout against a far fitter Scott Lewis than the overweight forklift driver who knocked out Queensland Origin enforcer Carl Webb a year ago, Williams has been continually forced to defend his decision to jump in the ring just weeks away from the start of a World Cup rugby season.
The dual international said players could be injured just as easily at training, and told the Herald yesterday how he feared DVT would end his spring tour with the All Blacks without his playing a match.
”A couple of nights before the Test against the Wallabies, I was in a Hong Kong hospital waiting to see if I had a blood clot in my leg,” Williams said. ”They thought it was a blood clot, and if it was I wouldn’t have been able to fly for six weeks, so I was pretty buzzy because I was in a foreign hospital thinking my tour was over before it had begun.”
Williams was cleared to make his All Blacks debut the following week against England but doctors told him he was susceptible to DVT because a mistreated broken leg that resulted in him suffering compartment syndrome had affected his blood circulation.
With the flight the All Blacks took to Hong Kong not having enough business class seats to accommodate the entire squad, he and the other newcomers to the team were forced to sit in premium economy.
”It didn’t bother me at all as long as I was on that flight with all of the boys, but I fell asleep sitting for six hours, and when I got off the plane my leg hurt,” he said. ”The next day my shin was still swollen, and when I pushed it it was like playdough, so I went and saw the doc, and I ended up in hospital. It was pretty freaky.
”But I’ve come to learn that you can’t cry over spilt milk, and that’s my attitude now towards those sort of things.”
Williams gave a similar response when asked yesterday about his decision to fight Lewis with the Super 15 rugby season starting next month.
”Because the rugby season is so long, it is good to get away from it and sharpen up, and I believe that for myself, boxing gives me that edge – not just physically but mentally,” the former NRL star said.
He admitted a fitter Lewis would be present a challenge. ”He [Lewis] definitely has the knockout power, any heavyweight does. But I don’t think he will be able to get me, and I want to win convincingly.”
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