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'Super Sefa' the latest Wallaby set to jump Aussie ship - reports

Sefa Naivalu

Sefa Naivalu is the latest Wallaby set to make the switch to European rugby.

The Fijian born winger has apparently signed for Stade Francais and will arrive following the Rugby World Cup in Japan – according to Midi Olympique.

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The 6’1, 101kg wing has played eight Tests for the Wallabies, and is in the first weeks of his inaugural season with the Queensland Reds, having signed from the Melbourne Rebels.

It’s a blow for the Wallabies – post World Cup at least – as Naivalu has been in fine form, scoring five tries in nine games. According to Midi, he’s signed a two and half year contract.

Continue reading below…

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One of the original NRC stars, Naivalu became the first Dewar Shield player to sign for the Melbourne Rebels. He overcame a broken leg in 2015 to push his claims for national selection with five tries for the Rebels in as many games at the back end of the tournament.

In 2016 Naivalu won his first Test cap off the bench against to South Africa in Pretoria. He picked up a further five Test caps over the rest of the season including his first start against France in Paris.

In 2017 Naivalu scored two tries before he suffered an ankle injury in his lone Test against Italy at Brisbane. On his return to rugby with the Melbourne Rising in the NRC Naivalu was forced off with a shoulder injury that subsequently required surgery to end any hope he had of featuring in the remainder of The Rugby Championship or the Spring Tour.

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Last month he made his Queensland Reds debut from the left wing following his transfer from the Rebels.

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J
JW 1 hour ago
'Passionate reunion of France and New Zealand shows Fabien Galthie is wrong to rest his stars'

Where? I remember saying "unders"? The LNR was formed by the FFR, if I said that in a way that meant the 'pro' side of the game didn't have an equal representation/say as the 'amateur' side (FFR remit) that was not my intent.


But also, as it is the governing body, it also has more responsibility. As long as WR looks at FFR as the running body for rugby in France, that 'power' will remain. If the LNR refuses to govern their clubs use of players to enable a request by FFR (from WR) to ensure it's players are able to compete in International rugby takes place they will simply remove their participation. If the players complain to the France's body, either of their health and safety concerns (through playing too many 'minutes' etc) or that they are not allowed to be part in matches of national interest, my understanding is action can be taken against the LNR like it could be any other body/business. I see where you're coming from now re EPCR and the shake up they gave it, yes, that wasn't meant to be a separate statement to say that FFR can threaten them with EPCR expulsion by itself, simply that it would be a strong repercussion for those teams to be removed (no one would want them after the above).


You keep bringing up these other things I cannot understand why. Again, do you think if the LNR were not acting responsibly they would be able to get away with whatever they want (the attitude of these posters saying "they pay the players")? You may deem what theyre doing currently as being irresponsible but most do not. Countries like New Zealand have not even complained about it because they've never had it different, never got things like windfall TV contracts from France, so they can't complain because theyre not missing out on anything. Sure, if the French kept doing things like withholding million dollar game payments, or causing millions of dollars of devaluation in rights, they these things I'm outlining would be taking place. That's not the case currently however, no one here really cares what the French do. It's upto them to sort themselves out if they're not happy. Now, that said, if they did make it obvious to World Rugby that they were never going to send the French side away (like they possibly did stating their intent to exclude 20 targeted players) in July, well then they would simply be given XV fixtures against tier 2 sides during that window and the FFR would need to do things like the 50/50 revenue split to get big teams visiting in Nov.

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