Delays for NZ-bound Fiji

Fiji has delayed the announcement of its team for Friday’s one-off Test against the All Blacks.

They are awaiting the outcome of judicial proceedings and the approval of the New Zealand government which maintains travel sanctions against Fiji.

The team which was to be named Saturday will now be named Monday.

Sisa Koyamaibole, Seru Rabeni and Waisea Luveniyali – who were sent off in Fiji’s Pacific Nations Cup Test against Japan last Wednesday – all face judicial hearings.

Team manager Talemo Waqa said Fiji also had to wait for the New Zealand government’s approval of its list of 24 players for the Test at Carisbrook in Dunedin.

New Zealand has refused visas to members of the Fiji military and their families since Commodore Frank Bainimarama seized power in a military-led coup in 2006.

SAPA-AP