Two Fijians drop out of the World Cup squad

by **Rugby Fan** Sun 23 Jul 2023, 12:05 am

Lock Api Ratuniyarawa was in a difficult position, as he lost his job when London Irish went under. Bayonne offered him a contract to be World Cup cover, and he has taken it, which rules him out of the tournament.

Clermont flanker Peceli Yato has also told the coach he will be leaving the squad. He is a senior player, and perhaps a bigger loss. While nothing has been spelled out, the likely reason is that he doesn't want to jeopardize his club contract with a long absence. Yato got a knee injury in December 2021, and didn't return to club action until January 2023.

by hugehandoff Sun 23 Jul 2023, 5:15 pm

Remains an absolute disgrace to the game that Pacific Island players cannot afford to play for their country. Whilst the running of the game in that part of the world is a shambles we need to see the best players in the world at a World Cup. This needs rectifying for the future.

by doctor_grey Sun 23 Jul 2023, 8:49 pm

hugehandoff wrote:Remains an absolute disgrace to the game that Pacific Island players cannot afford to play for their country. Whilst the running of the game in that part of the world is a shambles we need to see the best players in the world at a World Cup. This needs rectifying for the future.

Couldn't agree more. One would hope World Rugby can find a funding model which helps the Pacific Island nations pay their International players a competitive wage. I guess the challenge (outside of World Rugby pulling their head out and seeing what is going on), is where to draw the line when it comes to funding Tier 2 nations. Once could easily envisage Georgia asking why not them. And Romania. And Canada, USA, Chile, and so on.

by **Rugby Fan** Wed 06 Sep 2023, 10:41 am

Caleb Muntz, the much-lauded Fijian fly-half, is out of the tournament.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/66727297

Fiji have received a major injury blow ahead of the World Cup opener against Wales after fly-half Caleb Muntz was ruled out of the tournament because of a knee injury.

Muntz, 23, suffered the injury in training on Monday with Fiji opening their campaign against Wales in Bordeaux on Sunday.

"It's most devastating for us as a group and for Caleb," said Fiji head coach Simon Raiwalui.

"We feel for him as a young man."

Raiwalui added: "He will miss the opportunity so close to the Rugby World Cup."

Muntz made his Fiji debut against Tonga in July and won his fourth cap in their recent 30-22 victory over England at Twickenham, kicking 15 points.

Raiwalui said there are several players outside the current group they are looking at as options to replace Muntz and will make a decision in the next couple of days.

The other fly-half in Fiji's squad of 33 is Teti Tela, who also plays for the Fijian Drua in Super Rugby.

"We have got 33 players and we have the utmost confidence in them," added Raiwalui.

"Once we name the team for the match against Wales on Friday we will have utmost faith in whom we have selected."

by hugehandoff Wed 06 Sep 2023, 11:02 am

Mount out is devastating for Fiji as he is their first proper controlling 10 in like ever....a real blow

by bsando Thu 07 Sep 2023, 6:31 am

That’s a huge blow for Fiji. The equivalent of Scotland losing Russell or the AB’s losing mounga.

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