Ex-Wallaby Giteau outlines fears of being stranded in Japan away from family
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.
Weirdest flight I’ve ever had.. So empty & quiet ? #coronavirus has certainly made an impact on flying ? pic.twitter.com/3U4nLbP9zc
— Matt Giteau ?? (@giteau_rugby) March 14, 2020
It’s a quiet plane ride tonight.. ?
?? —> ?????????????????? !!
??? pic.twitter.com/tWcu02Vfo2
— Matt Giteau ?? (@giteau_rugby) March 14, 2020
The Top League are expected to make an announcement soon – and it can’t come soon enough for players like Giteau who seek to return home.
WATCH: Rugby Australia are looking to follow New Zealand in makeshift Super Rugby competition
Comments on RugbyPass
I wouldn’t spend the time on Nawaqanitawase! No point in having him filling in a jersey when he’s committed to leave Union. Give the jersey to a young prospect who will be here in the future.
4 Go to commentsIt was a pleasure to watch those guys playing with such confidence. That trio can all be infuriating for different reasons and I can see why Jones might have decided against them. No way to justify leaving Ikitau out though. Jorgensen and him were both scheduled to return at the same time. Only one of them plays for Randwick and has a dad who is great mates with the national coach though.
53 Go to commentsBrayden Iose and Peter Lakai are very exciting Super Rugby players but are too short and too light to ever be a Test 8 vs South Africa, France, Ireland, and England, Lakai could potentially be a Test player at 7 if he is allowed to focus on 7 for Hurricanes.
5 Go to commentsPencils “Thomas du Toit” into possible 2027 Bok squad.
1 Go to commentsDon’t see why Harrison makes the bench. Jones can play at 10 if needed, and there is a good case for starting her there to begin with if testing combinations. That would leave room for Sing on the bench
1 Go to commentsWhat a load of old bull!
1 Go to commentsOf the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.
29 Go to commentsIrish Rugby CEO be texting Andy Farrell “Andy, i found our next Kiwi Irishman”
5 Go to commentsI certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
5 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
4 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to comments