There are high hopes that first choice halfback for the Flying Fijians at the Rugby World Cup, Nikola Matawalu, will be given the chance to don the white jersey, at the World Cup in New Zealand next year.

Matawalu a Navy officer by profession, could not travel to Australia to meet the Wallabies in their one-off Test, due to travel sanctions.
 
Fijivillage Sports has raised the issue with the IRB's General Manager Oceania, William Glenwright on the possibility if Matawalu and others from the same profession.

The question - Will players like Matawalu be allowed to enter NZ for the 2011 World Cup.

Glenwright said the International Rugby Board has a Host Union Agreement with the New Zealand Rugby Union which stipulates, that all teams that qualify for Rugby World Cup, are able to enter the country to participate in the tournament.

Glenwright added that they are aware of the diplomatic situation which currently exists and they hope that there will be progress before the beginning of the tournament.

Glenwright stressed that they are continuing to work with the New Zealand government on matters relating to visas for all teams, including Fiji.

The Flying Fijians are in Pool D at next year's World Cup with South Africa, Wales, Samoa and Namibia.

Meanwhile, the 21-year0old young Flying Fijians halfback Nikola Matawalu is already proving himself as the answer to the vacuum left by the Rauluni brothers, Jacob and Mosese, who owned the spot for the past 10 years.

Former Fiji captain Sale Sorovaki who played with both of the Rauluni borthers said while it is hard to compare Matawalu with the Rauluni brothers, he believes the former Suva Grammar student has a long way to go in representing Fiji.

Sorovaki said the 21 year old will be an asset to Fiji in trying to win the Pacific Nations Cup this season.