World Cup latest – Nacewa says no to Fiji
13 Jun 2011
Keo.co.za brings you news related to the World Cup.
Nacewa says no to Fiji – Isa Nacewa has declared himself unavailable for Fiji’s World Cup campaign, citing his wife’s pregnancy as the reason.
Nacewa is one of two Fijian players who have declined a World Cup invitation, with No 8 Jone Qova citing the exact same reason.
‘My pregnant wife and my twin girls are my number one priority at the moment, however I wish the Fiji team and management all the best in the exciting year that follows and especially at the Rugby World Cup,’ Nacewa said. ‘Fiji has a competitive team at the World Cup and one that will go a long way.’
Fiji coach Sam Domoni said he understood the decisions of the two players.
‘Players, like Nacewa and Qovu, need to look after their young family’s welfare and that’s a priority for any player. The decision they’ve made is respected and we now need to move forward as a team with the players we have got.’
Saxons thrash Tonga – England’s second-string side beat Tonga 41-14 on Sunday to secure a place in the Churchill Cup final with Canada. The score said something for the quality of the Tongan side, who may take an embarrassing beating when they meet New Zealand and France at the World Cup in September.
Other results saw Italy A beating Russia 24-19 to secure second place in Group G behind Canada. Russia are in the same group as Italy at the global tournament, but the best chance they have of winning will be when they play the USA.
6 Comments
13 Jun 2011, 07:23 am
English Dragons!
13 Jun 2011, 15:54 pm
Questions is….would Nacewa have said the same if he was at the Blues and if it was an All Black call up???
Dont think so…
13 Jun 2011, 19:53 pm
@ mshinwami,yes I agree.If memory serves,he played a few minutes in 1 game for Fiji and has made himself unavailable for selection since then,hoping to find a loophole somewhere which would allow him to play for the ABs.
13 Jun 2011, 23:08 pm
what a load of BS. Nacewa hides behind the ‘wife expecting a baby’, as if Suva would be too far to rush back to at half time during the RWC. Nice play on the emotional angle.
Both he and his wife are Kiwis and will be residing, presumably, in their hometown of Auckland. As for maternity ward at National Womens, Epsom, well its but a mere punt-and-a-half from Eden Park itself.
Some dark forces at play here I suspect. Either some pressure or contractual provisions with Leinster encourage him to confirm his unavailability or, just as likely, the stand-off between NZ-Fiji has clouded the already muddied waters. Either way it is a real shame for a very talented player who would have brought real skill and stability to the Fiji team. And besides, wouldnt it have been cool to one day tell his son/daughter that s/he was born while/after their Dad was starring at a RWC ?!
14 Jun 2011, 01:33 am
What a waste of a great talent. If he was eligible for NZ he would be a definite starter behind dan carter. He is world class. I dont believe his club is driving this decision as the window is free at RWC.
He has evry right to decline to play. Its his career not anyone elses. Its still a shame for a minute playing for Fiji that hes penalised for the rest of his playing career.
14 Jun 2011, 02:17 am
disagree that he is such a “talent”..
was ordinary for the blues, I personally was glad to see the back of him… shame that we replaced him with an equally inept flyhalf such as Brett…
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