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Row over Fijian wing's contract dents Pro D2 playoff preparations
Preparations by Mont-de-Marsan for this weekend’s Top 14/Pro D2 relegation/promotion final at home to Perpignan have been clouded by long-serving Fijian winger Wame Naituvi seeking out an industrial tribunal to request the cancellation of his contract at the club.
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The 26-year-old, who has played five years at the Pro D2 outfit, is contracted until the end of the 2022/23 season but reported interest from Top 14 clubs has resulted in him taking action to try and free himself from the agreement by way of an alleged clause in his deal.
Naituvi has made 20 appearances for Mont-de-Marsan this season, but none since an April 24 start at Colomiers. The club were defeated in last Sunday’s Pro D2 final by Bayonne but they have another shot at securing promotion this weekend when they host Perpignan, the team that finished 13th last Sunday night in the Top 14 despite a win over title challengers Montpellier.
According to L’Equipe, the argument over the Naituvi contract dates back to a deal negotiated in 2020. The player’s lawyer Jean-Baptiste Ginies reported: “The two parties agree on the duration, the salary and a release clause… The release clause could be activated in the 2022 off-season against the payment of a certain sum.
“Except that on the day of the signing of the new contract, the terms of the clause in question would have been modified by the club. It was finally active in the 2021 off-season but the player was not notified. When he wanted to activate his clause during the current season, Mont-de-Marsan said that it was no longer possible. We tried to find an agreement in vain.”
Mont-de-Marsan president Jean-Robert Cazeaux was quoted: “This is an ongoing file that I am dealing with. Wame Naituvi is under contract with the club for the 2022/2023 season, that’s all. The rest belongs to the file, we will deal with it in due time.”
Naituvi, who has scored nine tries this season and 32 tries in total during his 74 Mont-de-Marsan appearances, is looking to engage with clubs reportedly interested in him, such as Top 14 title challengers Racing 92. However, unless a settlement can be reached at the tribunal, it appears that he will have to spend next season at his current club.
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Comments on RugbyPass
South Africa rarely play Ireland and France on these tours. Mostly, England, Scotland and Wales. I wonder why
1 Go to commentsIt was a let’s-see-what-you're-made-of type of a game. The Bulls do look good when the opposition allows them to, but Munster shut them down, and they could not find a way through. Jake should be very worried about their chances in the competition.
2 Go to commentsHats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
1 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
1 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
2 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
23 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
2 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
21 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
1 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
2 Go to commentsWhy not let the media decide. Like how they choose the head coach. Like most of us we entrust the rugby system to choose. A rugby team includes the coaches. It's collective.
13 Go to commentsHi NIck, I have been very impressed with him and he seems a smart player who can see opportunities which Bobby V _(who must be an international 6_) doesn’t see or have the speed to take advantage of. If he continues to improve and puts on 5kgs then he could be a great 8. He is a bit taller than Keiran Reid at 1.93m and 111 kgs, so his skill set fits his body size and who knows where it will lead. I hope the spate of Achilles tendon issues have been dealt with by the S&C people. It’s been a very long time since Mark Loane and Kefu stood out at 8. The question is will we be able to hold onto him, if he does make it he will be pretty hot property. I disagree with the idea of letting them go to the Northern Hemisphere and then bring them back.
21 Go to commentsBilly Fulton 🤣🤣🤣🤣 garrrmon not even close
13 Go to commentsDoes the AI take into account refs? hahaha Seriously why not have two on field refs to avoid bias?
23 Go to commentsVern challenging this Blues side might be the edge they need to fulfill their potential. Convincing results from strong D and strong carries are hard to argue against.
1 Go to commentsLove seems to add a strong back field defense with speed to close the gap and tackle to his ability to attack, kick and pass (an accurate long pass). This sets him an edge over some of the other names - JRK in particular. Has to be said that Jordan and Stevenson have also been exposed defensively while Love has yet to face test match intensity. Spoilt for choice.
1 Go to commentsHe’s strung together a few strong seasons, I’d like to see him in the ABs and build some depth along with Reiko and ALB. Levi Aumua hasn’t taken the step we hoped to see but time yet.
2 Go to comments