There is considerable confusion in international rugby circles with the New Zealand Government reaffirming its stand on the Fiji regime on the one hand and the determination of the Fiji Rugby Union to send its players on the other.
While the Rugby World Cup, beginning on September 9, would undoubtedly see yet another standoff between the two countries, the real test would actually be in July if the Fiji team would be allowed to take on the All Blacks at a one-off test.
Foreign Minister Murray McCully, who is also the Rugby World Cup Minister, did not mince words while responding to a query from the Fiji Rugby Union Head Colonel Mosese Tikoitoga, as to whether there would be a travel ban on Fijian players selected for the World Cup.
“I’m mystified as to why they think we need to spell out a clearer message. Banned means banned. If you are part of the (Fiji) Military, you are not coming; if you are part of the (Fiji) Government and if you are a regime appointee, you do not get to come to New Zealand,” he told the Fiji Village website.
Adding his bit to the confusion, International Rugby Board (IRB) Chief Executive Mike Miller said Fiji will send a team even if New Zealand bans players linked to the Pacific nation’s military regime from attending.
“Let us not create a drama which does not exist. We will see what happens on a case-by-case basis but Fiji will be here,” he told reporters in Wellington recently.
“We have to wait and see what happens, who they select and then the processes will take their course, but the Fijian team will be here,” he said.
New Zealand is not against Fiji Rugby Union sending its players so long as they are in neither the Fiji Military nor the Government.
The two successive Governments in New Zealand, respectively led by Labour’s Helen Clark and National’s John Key have locked horns with Commodore Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama soon after he dismissed the Laisenia Qarase on December 5, 2006 and established an Interim Government. With rigid travel ban on people connected with the Fiji Military and Government, the country has been subject to summary dismissal without a just course to defend itself, discard without discussion and adjudication without trial. Of course, there have been aberrations from Fiji as well.
Tikoitoga said the travel ban had stopped Fiji from sending its best possible team to the Rugby World Cup. “We cannot do any more but we will await official word from the IRB,” he said.
But with little chance of the New Zealand Government relenting, Fiji would have to select a team of players who would qualify for visit visas.
