Kiwis refuse to budge on Fiji sanctions
2 Jun 2011
While the IRB is confident that the strongest Fiji side will feature at the World Cup, New Zealand’s Prime Minister is adamant that bans on Fiji military members will not be lifted.
New Zealand current prohibits members of Fiji military or their families from visiting the country, which presents a problem for the national rugby side, many of whom are involved in the military.
The IRB has said that it hopes New Zealand would relax the ban for the duration of the World Cup, but at this stage the New Zealand government aren’t budging. The Fiji Rugby Union has responded by threatening to boycott the tournament altogether.
Prime Minister John Key and Rugby World Cup minister Murray McCully both said on Wednesday that New Zealand had no intention of using the World Cup as an excuse to relax sanctions which it has applied against Fiji since a 2006 military coup.
‘We haven’t changed our stance, which is that if someone is associated with the regime they will be subject to travel sanctions,’ Key said.
McCully added that he had already told the new chairman of the Fiji Rugby Union, Colonel Mosese Tikoitoga, that ‘banned meant banned’. New Zealand has no intention of relaxing sanctions against Fiji until the government of Commodore Frank Bainimarama took steps to restore democracy.
IRB chief executive Mike Miller, however, holds hope that some diplomacy will see the issue resolved before September.
‘If people can talk quietly behind the scenes then often things which some people think can’t be resolved, can be resolved.’ Miller said. ‘But talking about it in public really doesn’t help.
‘I am confident that Fiji will come to Rugby World Cup, I am confident that all the matches will take place in New Zealand, and I am confident that Fiji will acquit themselves very well. They’ve been playing very well and they will have a very good team in New Zealand.’
20 Comments
2 Jun 2011, 07:36 am
by the same logic that isolated SA during apartheid, and prevented poms and aus/nz from touring zim for cricket it looks like its bye bye fiji this year
2 Jun 2011, 10:41 am
If Fiji don’t pitch who will take their place?
2 Jun 2011, 11:17 am
If Fiji boycott then I will be sad. Sad that a neighbouring country and a good Rugby nation is ruled by such anti-democratic idiots who are trying to play the victim card.
Sorry if that was harsh, but it needed to be said. I don’t want Fiji to boycott the tournament, but if they do then I’m sure a nation that actually wants to be there will step up.
Sure, they won’t be as strong as Fiji, but the RWC is about more than just the strongest versus the strong. It is also a chance for lower-ranked teams to give it a go and perform on the world stage.
2 Jun 2011, 12:37 pm
“McCully added that he had already told the new chairman of the Fiji Rugby Union, Colonel Mosese Tikoitoga,………”
Even their Chairman is currently banned from obtaining a visa.
Meanwhile I see on the TV news, I see Zuma is in Libya sucking up to the Gadaffi Regime.
2 Jun 2011, 12:43 pm
@flanka(flanka)-1:
Fiji will be there flanka.
I hope so anyway.
If I was the IRB, I would give the NZ Gov an ultimatum tomorrow.
Fiji or NO WC2011.
(And give the Hosting rights to Australia next year, if the NZ Gov does not budge).
2 Jun 2011, 12:52 pm
@cane(cane)-4: sucking up? hehehe get you PM to go to Libya now, he won’t make it
2 Jun 2011, 12:59 pm
i think
the keewees
are just plain
shitscared
of feejee
like they
were scared of
the bokke
back in
’87
2 Jun 2011, 16:35 pm
@JA-JA(JA-JA)-2: Uruguay? I believe they had the play-off with Romania for the final World Cup slot.
This doesn’t make sense though, if NZ want a successful World Cup (half the tickets have yet to be sold) then surely they want full-strength teams. It would be sad if they wouldn’t let some players travel.
3 Jun 2011, 01:09 am
@Porra the Fat and Clever Speedster(Porra)-7: If Bokke get
out of the pool
Feejee will say
it doesn’t count
they weren’t there
Better pray they are
Pray.
Pray again.
Maybe you will
Get out.
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-8: They had a playoff. Agree, it will be a shame, if Fiji do not participate, fook the politicians.
3 Jun 2011, 01:11 am
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-8:
you are seriously full of it, BH.
‘half tickets not sold’ ?
QterFinals and Final Sold Out, singles only left for Semis. 5 months before the whistle.
3 Jun 2011, 01:13 am
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-8:
btw – Im not sure what your current status is these days
noone seriously still believes youre ‘English’, do they ?!
you Natal supporters are a strange lot.
3 Jun 2011, 01:37 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-10:
There is a big difference between “sold out” and “allocated” . The Corp hospitality companies are still desperately trying to sell off their allocations, so as we stand right now there would not be full stadiums………..try keep up with play!
3 Jun 2011, 01:39 am
And if they do not unbundle the packages and drop some of the rediculous prices they may very well not sell them ……………
3 Jun 2011, 06:43 am
I’d be interested to know how many players have affiliation with the military?? Maybe none! I think the Fijian PM is playing the innocent card and trying to use the IRB to bully NZ in to giving in. John Key wont be pressured and bullied in to giving in to the IRB.
What’s funny is that the Fijian PM won’t be allowed to attend the world cup. Good on NZ for taking a stand, was it not long ago that the IRB banned South Africa from playing in the rugby world cup…!!
If Fiji want to boycott the rugby world cup then let them do so at there own choice. NZ and Australia both have sanctions in place where anyone in the military or have connections will not be issued a visa. Fiji are not banned from playing in the world cup!! The decision to not allow anyone in to NZ or Australia from the Fijian military was put in place several years ago. The Fijian rugby union knew this so why make a big fuss now.
Stop trying to use the Rugby World Cup and IRB to ease sanctions.
Bring it on…. 99 days and counting!!
3 Jun 2011, 07:41 am
@kelefua(kelefua)-14:
spot on bruv
3 Jun 2011, 07:44 am
@cane(cane)-5:
there is nothing, whatsoever, preventing the Fiji rugby teams participation in the RWC.
3 Jun 2011, 07:51 am
@cane(cane)-5: “hosting rights to Australia next year”. Have you been shaving your nutsack again? It seems your brains have leaked.
3 Jun 2011, 07:53 am
@cane(cane)-5: ..next year, you mean in 99 days
Time is of the essence old chap. Pressure is building
On the other hand, Cane, I remember old Nagalavuki accused of AWOL once and the other time smoking some weed so things are really not to kosher on that Island.
3 Jun 2011, 08:23 am
@cane(cane)-4:
Mshlozi is pleading with the Colonel to keep quiet about all the money he gave the ANC and please sir could they have some more.
He has also promised to exit him to a nice mansion in Hyde Park where him and his concubines will be kept in the manner to which they have become accustomed courtesy of the South African taxpayer.
Ne a nasty, repressive regime around the world and we be kissing their fanny.
4 Jun 2011, 13:19 pm
Fiji played in Australia last year and I don’t recall any problems. I have a feeling one player was prevented from coming to the NZ sevens a couple of years back because he had family in “government” but that was about all.
It’s all talk. Bananarama will back down, he won’t be very popular if he tells his country he’s pulling out of the world cup. The NZ government has given him too many chances already to even appear to be moving towards elections and he’s just pissed around.
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