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Ex-Wallaby Giteau outlines fears of being stranded in Japan away from family

By Josh Raisey

18 Mar 2020

(Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

Ex-Wallabies star Matt Giteau has urged the Japanese Top League to quickly make a decision about the remainder of the season amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The league has already been suspended due to the virus, but was set to resume before a recent drugs arrest caused it to be halted again for “education compliance”.

But with the pandemic worsening around the world, players are urging the league to make a decision as they face the prospect of being barred from their native countries for the foreseeable future.

The 103-cap veteran Giteau, who plays for Suntory Sungoliath, recently took to Twitter to explain the problem he is facing just after flying back to Japan from Australia.

He said: “There are more important things than rugby right now. I love living and playing here in Japan but not to the extent of being locked out of Australia away from my family until June. I’m hoping Top League can make a decision either way before it’s too late.”

There are more important things than rugby right now.. I love living & playing here in Japan but not to the extent of being locked out of Australia away from my family til June. Im hoping Top League can make a decision, either way before it’s too late🤞🏼#coronavirus
— Matt Giteau 🇦🇺 (@giteau_rugby) March 18, 2020

Australian citizens abroad are being encouraged to return home as soon as possible as the government could be about to impose a lockdown.

Players like Giteau are now in limbo and face the prospect of being exiled from their homeland for an extended period.

Kiwi and Mitsubishi Dynaboars player James Wilson has also raised his concerns, calling on the Top League to “do right by the players” as he wants to return home.

Wishing I could be at home. As much as I want to be playing rugby right now here in Japan, and this is coming from a guy that won’t get to play many more, I don’t want to be away from my family any longer. I am hoping the Top League do right by the players tomorrow 🙏🏽 #COVID19
— James Wilson (@_JamesWilson_) March 18, 2020

Stuck in between a rock and a hard place at the moment, all us Aussies here in Japan.
Still no call on what’s happening with remainder of Japan Top League but our boarders are closing??!! https://t.co/8bKXItnquO
— Sammy Talakai (@SamTalakai) March 17, 2020

The vast majority of sporting events around the world have been suspended in order to prevent the spread of the virus, and it is clear that the foreign players in Japan want the Top League to follow suit.

Giteau returned to Japan from Australia only the other day, sharing the photos of the empty plane he was travelling on as flights around the world are being restricted and many countries are urging people to minimise social interaction to prevent the spread of the virus.

https://twitter.com/giteau_rugby/status/1238912588601102336?s=20