Mandatory quarantine

Flying Fijians coach facing frustration in assembling team

MANDATORY quarantine and logistics to get players across to New Zealand from Australia and Europe has added to the frustration of Flying Fijians coach Vern Cotter in his bid to assemble a full training squad ahead of the first test against the All Blacks next Saturday.

Frank Lomani, Mosese Sorovi and Teti

Tela are stuck in Queensland, Australia following the pause in the Trans-Tasman travel bubble while Eroni Mawi (England), Peni Ravai (France) and Peceli Yato (France) departed for New Zealand late after failing to get an early clearance from their respective clubs.

While Ravai and Yato are expected to arrive in New Zealand next Tuesday, a cloud of doubt surrounds the availability of Lomani, Sorovi and Tela as there is no word on the resumption of the travel bubble between Australia and New Zealand.

Cotter said the situation was different and difficult.

“We have three players who are stuck in Queensland, Australia because of COVID-19 with the Trans-Tasman travel bubble stopped at the moment so they can’t get to us and that is a concern,” he said.

“So Simione (Kuruvoli) might have to play a big role as a local and young player.

“At the moment there is a COVID-19 outbreak in New South Wales but there is nothing in Queensland.

“So we are hoping that the New Zealand government will relax the Trans-Tasman travel bubble for the Queensland State so we can get them across.”

Fiji will face the All Blacks in the first test at the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.