The Fiji Rugby Union should lobby the International Rugby Board to move the Adelaide and New Zealand leg of the IRB Sevens series to other countries that are willing to host the best in Sevens.

That is the sentiment of the Fiji Navy Commander Frances Kean as he expressed disappointment at reasons being given by the FRU on the visa issues concerning two of its players and asks whether FRU has indeed applied for visas of Navy Duo Nikola Matawalu and Waqabaca Kotobalavu.

Kotobalavu and Matawalu have been named in the 12 member team to the Hong Kong Sevens however they are expected to be dropped from the team to the Australia Sevens as a result of the travel sanctions against Military personnel.

Commander Kean has called on FRU to make a stand on the issue and not be intimidated by the non issuance of visas by the Australian authorities.

He said that IRB and rugby fans worldwide would not want to see an IRB Sevens Series without the Fiji 7s Team, adding that the National 7s team has been hampered by not being able to send its best players to the series due to the visa bans by Australia and New Zealand.

Meanwhile, FRU Board Interim Chairman Rafaele Kasibulu said they have lodged the visas for Matawalu and Kotobalavu.

He said the matter is a sensitive one and now rests in the hands of the IRB, stressing that FRU has done its part and are awaiting word from the Embassy however nothing further can be done at this stage.


The Hong Kong Sevens kicks off next Friday and Fiji is pool D with Kenya, Russia and Malaysia.


Story by: Paradise Tabucala and Dhanjay Deo