WP's Naqelevuki goes AWOL... again
Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:29
Western Province's rogue Fijian wing Sireli Naqelevuki has once again gone 'absent without leave' after failing to report for training with his provincial outfit.
Naqelevuki has been on duty with Fiji in the International Rugby Board (IRB) Pacific Nations Cup tournament, and was due back in Cape Town to resume his contractual obligations with WP in the Currie Cup.
But the big wing failed to show up in South Africa a fortnight ago, and it is believed that he is still in Fiji.
Western Province media spokesman Gavin Lewis confirmed to rugby365.com that the player was still at large.
"We don't really know where he is at this stage. He was meant to be back, but he hasn't arrived," said Lewis.
"We are currently looking for him in Fiji, and using our contacts over there to try and track him down."
The Fijian speedster has committed a similar mishap in the past, when he failed to report for duty at Newlands last year after a spell with his national team.
Naqelevuki's rather chequered disciplinary record also shows that he was banned for six months after testing positive for marijuana at a IRB Sevens tournament in December 2006.
Naqelevuki has recently been linked with a possible move to the Guinness Premiership, with reports doing the rounds of several clubs chasing his signature.
By Phil Coetzer
