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Problems for Fiji camp as Sevens star dumped by French club


Fijian Sevens star Semi Kunatani. (Getty Images)
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Fiji’s preparations for taking part in the eight-team Autumn Nations tournament in Europe next month have hit serious problems with doubts over their planned training camp in France due to the country’s ongoing battle to contain COVID-19. Added to the logistical problems of ensuring new head coach Vern Cotter can meet up with his players for the first time to prepare for the tournament, there is now doubt over the availability of Olympic Sevens gold medallist Semi Kunatani after he was dropped by new club Castres.

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The French Top 14 outfit issued a statement saying: “Castres Olympique regret to announce that Semi Kunatani did not meet the requirements of the regulatory medical examination and as provided for in the regulations of the National Rugby League.

“He can therefore not join the club. The OC regrets this situation and wishes Semi Kunatani the best.”

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Kunatani had joined fellow countrymen Vilimoni Botitu and Osea Waqa at Castres, having signed from Harlequins in June.

The 29-year-old previously spent three years in the French Top 14 with Toulouse before moving to England and was expected to be named in the Fiji squad for the training camp later this month in France. Reports from Fiji suggest an alternative venue for the camp – which will be vital for the squad’s tournament preparations – is now being considered.

Fiji have been placed in a pool with France, Scotland and Italy for the Autumn Nations tournament.

Head coach Cotter has been based in New Zealand due to the pandemic since taking over from John McKee and has already lost Edinburgh No8 Viliame Mata, who is out for six to eight weeks with an ankle injury, while Fiji and Stade Francais prop Luke Tagi was sent off against Bayonne.

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Key lock forward Leone Nakarawa only returned to Glasgow Warriors at the end of last month after an extended period in Fiji and is now being put through a specific training programme to get him fit for the eight nations tournament.

Danny Wilson, the Glasgow coach, said: “We now have him back in the country but he has to go through an isolation period which really, if we are being honest, gets him fit and healthy to go into the Fiji camp.”

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NoLongerARuck 53 minutes ago
Nations Championship: 'The data shows the north has finally caught up with the south'

The Six Nations produced so many compelling games and so much of action packed moments that you can only conclude that its the best international comp out there at the moment except for a world cup. If Wales improve it will be even better especially given the strides Italy have made in recent times. The Rugby Championship is now taking a hiatus in a year it really should be building toward something better which is terrible considering the competition was so tight last year. The Nations Champs promises much but one gets the feeling that the 6 Nations teams will not be at their peak given its at the end of their long season. In terms of rugby quality and entertainment Id rather watch the 6 Nations over everything else other than a world cup right now. The North arguably offers more in terms of entertainment than the South at club level as well. The Prem, the Champs Cup, URC and Top 14 all feature plenty of scoring and different playing styles while Super Rugby seems to be the same thing game in game out. While the South tries to speed up the game artificially with new trials and law variations the North has shown you can do it with good refereeing which penalises cynical play harshly and encourages positive actions on the field. In terms of entertainment the North wins. In terms of winning? They are making strides but until they win another world cup or get a team to rank number 1 again for an extended time again they cant really say they are better than the South.

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