Fiji Men’s and Women’s 7s teams pull out of Spain tournaments

The Fiji Airways Men’s and Women’s 7s teams will not be participating in the Malaga and Seville 7s as several players returned a positive result as part of their exit test after being in seven days of isolation.

The Men’s 7s team was planning to travel for the Seville 7s today. Fiji Rugby Union CEO John O’Connor says only one player from the Men’s 7s team tested positive on the fourth day and they were confident of sending the team for the Seville 7s provided all the other players continue to test negative in the exit tests yesterday.

He says unfortunately, the results they received yesterday had other players and management in both camps testing positive making it impossible to travel to Spain with a full team.

O’Connor says they did not expect such results, but such is the nature and the ease of spread of the current variant of COVID 19. FRU CEO also highlighted the players and management who initially tested positive have now tested negative and all the players and management staff who have now tested positive are all well and remain asymptomatic.

He says it's disappointing not to have the Men’s and Women’s teams play in Spain but the safety and welfare of everyone involved is always their priority and are thankful to the Health Ministry for their support and guidance in this regard. O’Connor says they have been guided well by the Health Ministry to ensure compliance to the protocols and having the required testing to ensure everyone is cleared to ensure the team could return to training safely.

He says once all the players are cleared, they will return to their respective clubs and prepare for the Fun Flavour Super 7s Series which is now being planned to be played on the 3rd, 4th and 5th of February in Nadi.