WELLINGTON: Fiji are expected to take their place at the World Cup in New Zealand later this year, International Rugby Board (IRB) chief executive Mike Miller has said, despite local media reports of players possibly not being granted entry to the country, SBS Television reports.
"We will see what happens on a case-by-case basis," Miller told reporters in Wellington Friday.
"But Fiji will be here.
"We have to wait and see who they select and the processes will take their course, but the Fijian team will be here."
Fiji is subject to sanctions by the New Zealand government after a military coup in 2006 with Foreign Minister Murray McCully saying last month it may not lift travel sanctions on citizens associated with the military-led government unless it committed to elections by 2014.
The sport has also been embroiled in a protracted political battle since January, with the Fiji Rugby Union and the government at loggerheads over an investigation by the country's Commerce Commission into a lottery held to raise funds for the World Cup.
The government said it would give F$3 million to help prepare the team for the September 9-October 23 tournament in New Zealand, but only if the FRU board resigned.
Miller said Friday they had spoken to the Fijian government and the union earlier this year about the standoff and they had all agreed to hold elections for the union's board later this month. The elections would be overseen by the Fijian Olympic Committee.
"Everyone is allowed to stand as part of our agreement," he said. "I was very pleased with the nature of the discussions and that everyone was able to reach an accommodation.
"Rugby World Cup is one of the most important things for them, they know it's a chance for Fiji to shine."
Miller said the IRB had not discussed with the New Zealand government the possibility of bans on Fijian players or officials coming to the World Cup.
"There is no need to have that discussion at the moment," he added. "We'll just have to wait and see if a situation arises. I don't believe in speculating. If an issue arises then we will deal with them.
"The team hasn't been selected. We have had no dialogue about this. Let's not create a drama that doesn't exist."
The sanctions have also placed in doubt tentative plans to schedule a World Cup warm-up match between the All Blacks and Fiji on July 22.
"The trick is getting enough assurance there won't be any political interference that will put the game in jeopardy," New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew told Television New Zealand this week.
"We may not be able to play Fiji in which case we start to look at ... alternatives which we haven't finalised." - SBS Television/ReutersPacific Media Watch
Pacific Media Watch
