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Fiji boss sends warning to overseas XVs stars hopping on Olympic bandwagon

Josua Tuisova scores against France during Fiji's 21-14 win in Paris last year. (ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/Getty Images)

Fiji’s overseas-based stars have been warned the continuing disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic will make it even tougher for them to claim places in the sevens squad to defend the Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo Games later this year.

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A set of criteria have been established in conjunction with coach Gareth Baber to try and sidestep the kind of pandemic problems that restricted the Fijian 15s team to just one game during the recent Autumn Nations Cup in Europe which saw numerous players and staff return positive tests. Bristol’s Semi Radradra has made it clear he wants to be part of the gold medal defence and Baber would like to include other European based players if they can be released for pre-Games camps and matches.

FRU chief executive officer John O’Connor told SUNsports “The overseas-based players need time to make a transition from playing fifteens to sev­ens rugby. It’s going to take time for them and it’s not easy and all the overseas-based players are aware of this.

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Mike Brown opens up about that scrap with Ben Te’o prior to the Rugby World Cup:

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    Mike Brown opens up about that scrap with Ben Te’o prior to the Rugby World Cup:

    “We have learned a lot from our experience in the Nations Autumn and no one can take their inclusion for granted since we have to consider things like joining a negative bubble and so forth. With COVID- 19 picking up momentum in most countries and new lockdown measures taken, getting players back home and into a negative bubble will be challenge but we are putting plans into place and hope to leave no stone unturned in our preparation for the Olympic.”

    O’Connor said for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, overseas-based – players like Leone Nakarawa, Josua Tuisova and Semi Kunatani had joined the training squad for more than two months before the tournament. “We’ve started talks with the overseas-based players’ clubs if they could be released earli­er,” he added.

    A FRU sanctioned- Sevens Series gets underway at Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka this weekend to try and fill the void created by the cancellation of HSBC World Rugby Sevens series events with Russia and Japan possibly taking part. “It’s going to be an exciting weekend of sevens rugby. The selectors will be out there identify­ing talented players that can make the national sevens training squad.

    “We’re fortunate in Fiji because we have so many talented 7 players who form quality sev­ens teams who could provide stiff competition to our national sevens players. All these in­ternational teams are desperately looking for more game time against quality oppositions. They could only get that in Fiji.”

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    RedWarrior 4 hours ago
    The reason given by Steve Borthwick for latest England setback

    So England are allowed to have a tsunami whinge fest about the ref but if an Irish fan points out that some decisions hurt Ireland also they are being petulant.

    Honestly some English supporters are all politeness until they lose then the claws and fangs come out.

    Ok here we go, not complaints just pointing out where England got away with roul play:

    1: M Smiths headbutt on James Lowe that started the fracas with Stewart. If the ref spots that in time then thats a second yellow if not a straight red for Smith. Probably worth another 14 points with England gassed so a 41-10 final scoreline?

    2: Itoje's several stamps on Hansens instep in a clear attempt to damage metatarsals. Straight red or if he is lucky, 10 in the bin.

    3. Currys block on Baird to create a gap that Smith used to break the line. Penalty and possession for Ireland deep in England 22 with score at 0:0.

    4: The correct decision for the Cunningham South dangerous tackle was a yellow. Lowe blew it by confronting him. The ref didn't give South or Lowe a yellow. The ref couldn't give Lowe a yellow anyway as the TMO would have informed him that m Smith alone started the previosu fracas and its not unreasonable for a player to react to being headbutted.


    One last thing missing from English analysis

    How is coming over to Dublin acting like you own the place, committing filthy cowardly off the ball cheap shots working out for you? I mean you clearly dont care that we think your team are a crowd of a$$holes but...... rugby wise, how is riling the Irish team to focus and get the best out of themselves against such unpleasant opposition working for you on the scoreboard?


    Food for thought old boy!!!!

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