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Fiji Rugby attempt to calm fears as entire camp placed in quarantine

(Photo by Ashley Western/MB Media/Getty Images)

The Fiji rugby squad are attempting to calm fears that they will unable to take part in the Autumn Nations Cup by undergoing further COVID-19 testing tomorrow and Wednesday in a bid to face Italy on Saturday.

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Their participation in the eight team tournament was put into question when four positive tests, understood to include captain Semi Radradra, forced the cancellation of today’s match with France.

There is understandable frustration in the Fiji squad which has been training in France and has twice been struck by positive tests resulting in players having to isolate.

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Newbie Vunivaliu on what it’s like in Wallabies camp:

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Newbie Vunivaliu on what it’s like in Wallabies camp:

Autumn Nations Cup organisers are desperate to get the rest of the fixtures played having agreed a deal worth a reported £20m with Amazon to televise matches that have been arranged to fill the fixture void created by the restrictions on travel to Europe for South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

Fiji Rugby Union chief executive officer John O’Connor told the Fiji Times: “Morale in camp is high but there is frustration since the team had prepared well and was looking forward to the match to kick off their campaign

“Based on the recommendation of the tournament medical board and expert advice on the high risk of the virus spreading to other players and to ensure player safety, wellbeing and welfare, the match has been cancelled.

“None of the players who have tested positive have any symptoms and all are healthy and doing well. Based on expert medical advice, effective immediately from last night, all players and team management have been placed under quarantine and are now isolated in their individual rooms.

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“Our medical team, with the support of the French Rugby Federation medical team, have started contact tracing and are monitoring the players with further tests planned for Monday and Wednesday, prior to the Italy match.”

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S
SK 44 minutes ago
What is the future of rugby in 2025?

Set pieces are important and the way teams use them is a great indication of how they play the game. No team is showcasing their revolution more than the Springboks. This year they have mauled less and primarily in the attacking third. Otherwise they have tended to set like they are going to maul and then play around the corner or shove the ball out the back. They arent also hitting the crash ball carrier constantly but instead they are choosing to use their width or a big carrying forward in wider areas. While their maul is varied the scrum is still a blunt instrument winning penalties before the backs have a go. Some teams have chosen to blunt their set piece game for more control. The All Blacks are kicking more penalties and are using their powerful scrum as an attacking tool choosing that set piece as an attacking weapon. Their willingness to maul more and in different positions is also becoming more prominent. The French continue to play conservative rugby off the set piece using their big bruisers frequently. The set piece is used differently by different teams. Different teams play different ways and can be successful regardless. They can win games with little territory and possession or smash teams with plenty of both. The game of rugby is for all types and sizes and thats true in the modern era. I hope that administrators keep it that way and dont go further towards a Rugby League style situation. Some administrators are of the opinion that rugby is too slow and needs to be sped up. Why not rather empower teams to choose how they want to play and create a framework that favours neither size nor agility. That favours neither slow tempo play or rock n roll rugby. Create a game that favour both and challenge teams to execute their plans. If World Rugby can create a game like that then it will be the ultimate winner.

34 Go to comments
J
JW 6 hours ago
'Let's not sugarcoat it': Former All Black's urgent call to protect eligibility rules

Yep, no one knows what will happen. Thing is I think (this is me arguing a point here not a random debate with this one) they're better off trialing it now in a controlled environment than waiting to open it up in a knee jerk style reaction to a crumbling organtization and team. They can always stop it again.


The principle idea is that why would players leave just because the door is ajar?


BBBR decides to go but is not good enough to retain the jersey after doing it. NZ no longer need to do what I suggest by paying him to get back upto speed. That is solely a concept of a body that needs to do what I call pick and stick wth players. NZR can't hold onto everyone so they have to choose their BBBRs and if that player comes back from a sabbatical under par it's a priority to get him upto speed as fast as possible because half of his competition has been let go overseas because they can't hold onto them all. Changing eligibility removes that dilemma, if a BBBR isn't playing well you can be assured that someone else is (well the idea is that you can be more assured than if you only selected from domestic players).


So if someone decides they want to go overseas, they better do it with an org than is going to help improve them, otherwise theyre still basically as ineligible as if they would have been scorning a NZ Super side that would have given them the best chance to be an All Black.

147 Go to comments
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