It’s like a light at the end of the tunnel!
That is how Fiji Rugby Union Interim Chairman Rafaele Kasibulu described the view of IRB CEO Mike Miller indicating unspoken support for Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama to travel to New Zealand for the Rugby World Cup.
Kasibulu said this is a good sign for Rugby as a whole, bearing in mind that it is only four months away from the World Cup.
Miller had told NZ Herald that there are no issues with Fiji at the moment, and they will be dealt with if or when they arise, stressing that “we should not create a drama which doesn't exist”.
The NZ government has placed travel sanctions against members of the Fiji military forces and anyone connected to them since 2006.
This has resulted in a number of rugby players with military connections not allowed to enter NZ to play in tournaments including the IRB sanctioned Wellington 7s.
Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully said the bans could be relaxed in time for the World Cup if Fiji showed real progress towards elections.
The Fiji government has made it clear that it has set its roadmap to democracy and elections will be held in 2014 after the electoral, social and economic reforms.
When asked by NZ Herald whether he wanted to see Commodore Bainimarama at the event, IRB CEO Mike Miller thinks that anyone who wants to go to the Rugby World Cup should go and it is not up to the IRB to decide who can go and support their team.
He said they have had good discussions with the Fijian Government on all levels and does not foresee any problems and does not see the need to discuss the matter with the New Zealand Government at the moment.
Commodore Bainimarama had earlier told Fijivillage that he does not like traveling to NZ.
The Rugby World Cup kicks off in New Zealand on September 9.
Story by: Vijay Narayan and Selina Navuso
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FRU happy with IRB’s stand on Fiji
