Fiji’s RWC dreams still in doubt
30 May 2011
Cash-strapped Fiji may not be able to travel to World Cup because of financial problems.
Fiji still don’t have a major sponsor on board and officials fear they will not have enough funds to travel to the New Zealand in September as they are still in the process of discussion with their national government over a promised World Cup funding package of $F3 million (about R11 million).
Newly appointed Fiji Rugby Union chairman Colonel Mosese Tikoitoga believes $F5 million (about R19 million) will be needed for proper preparation, but their government has only provided $F375 000 (R1.45 million) to date. It’s still uncertain whether the rest of the promised amount will be released.
In addition to their financial problems, New Zealand have also placed a selection sanction on Fiji as they will not allow players who are part of the military to compete at the tournament. The IRB have not made the sanction official and Tikoitoga hopes Fiji will be able to pick their best possible squad.
‘New Zealand is saying they will not allow military personnel into the Rugby World Cup, but we have not heard anything from the IRB on where they stand with this,’ said Tikoitoga.
‘I am praying that the selection of the Fijian team will not be restricted because of a player’s occupation.’
Fiji feature in Pool D, which is the same group as the Springboks, Wales, Namibia and Samoa.
61 Comments
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30 May 2011, 15:07 pm
@WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-48: Thanks mate and well done to you too. Its still very close, but what I like is the fact that 8 out of the top 10 are Stormers supporters, we obviously know the most about rugby!
30 May 2011, 15:09 pm
@HongKongSlong(HongKongSlong)-51: perhaps… this weekend killed my chances..after round 7 I was 63rd, 12 points off the pace… before the weekend just gone I had got to 13th and only 3 points off the lead…
so was heartbreaking for me… one poor round and drop back to 8 points behind… eish
lmao.
30 May 2011, 15:24 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-52: I know what you mean, I was on a bit of a roll, got a bit cocky thinking I was the Nostradamus of rugby and went for a few random picks to try and get higher on the global rankings and had a shocker, Heavens game aka Wells got to the top and wasn’t shy about letting everyone know about it!
30 May 2011, 15:28 pm
@HongKongSlong(HongKongSlong)-53:
now I NEED to choose the upsets hahahaha
30 May 2011, 15:46 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-54: Lol exactly!
30 May 2011, 20:49 pm
@sparticus(sparticus)-39:
You appear to be a little confused
“Just a glance at the current and previous teams tell us the legends that might have been lost if they stayed in their countries. Players like Bunce , Lomu , Zinzan ?? What about current NZ idol SWB ? Is he not Maori ?”
1. Bunce, Lomu, Zinzan were all born in NZ. And they then ‘stayed in their country’.
2. SBW is not a Maori but both his parents were also born in NZ, as was Sonny Bill himself.
I dont understand your point. Do you have one ?
31 May 2011, 05:32 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-56: its the question all of us keep asking you tin pot???
What is your point, why are you here??
P.S. The great polynesian race migrated from Taiwan and colonised all before them. No nation stands before God innocent.
31 May 2011, 06:06 am
Poor Kevin
in your desperation to score points, you have lost the ability to make any sense using the English language.
Just try to concentrate on simple stuff, Kevin, these real life issues appear to be confusing you.
Who are the referees this weekend, Kevin ?
31 May 2011, 11:35 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-56: No point , all questions.
1 Jun 2011, 00:18 am
@sparticus(sparticus)-59:
“is he not Maori”
WTF ?!
Zinzan is a Maori, btw. Harder to get more Kiwi than that
1 Jun 2011, 12:10 pm
If the Fiji govt can’t come up with the money, the big unions in world rugby should pay this teams costs R11 mil is not money, it is one months pay for a guy like Rooney at Manchester United. How can they dictate who can be in the team because of their jobs, that particular idea is reprehensible and totally unacceptable. If they are worried about security because some Fijian guys are in the NATO forces now in the middle east, then the security should be jacked up….nothing else. Hell I wish we didn’t have to have administrators.
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