2 Jun 2011

FRU pleads for quick decision on Rugby World Cup ban

1:30 pm on 2 June 2011

The Fiji Rugby Union says with less than 100 days to go until the start of the World Cup it needs a definitive answer on whether it will be able to send its strongest team to New Zealand.

The Government in Wellington imposed a travel ban on all military personnel and their family members in response to the 2006 military coup.

The International Rugby Board has said that, while it would like Fiji to select its best players, it respects New Zealand's immigration policy.

Trials for the Flying Fijians World Cup squad are being held in Suva tomorrow and the FRU Chief Executive, Keni Dakuidreketi, says they need a definitive answer sooner rather than later.

"One of the things that we stressed in our letter to IRB is that we need to know the rules are or what the outcome of all this is now, and not later, because we can't be left to second-guess selection or anything that affects our preparation for the World Cup and I don't think we could be fairer than that."

Keni Dakuidreketi says once the IRB has responded to the FRU's letter it will be up to the board to decide what action, if any, to take.