WP star's Fiji tour in the balance
Sat, 20 Sep 2008 16:04
Fiji and Western Province star Sireli Naqelevuki could miss Fiji's tour of Europe in November due to a shoulder injury.
The big Fijian wing has starred this year for the Stormers in the Super 14, and also made a big contribution for his country in the Pacific Nations Cup.
Naqelevuki had some personal problems following his stint for Fiji in the Pacific Nations Cup, which delayed his return to the Cape, where he was due to play for Western Province in the Currie Cup.
In fact, the Fijian's failure to show up prompted WP senior coach Rassie Erasmus to board a flight to Fiji, and personally escort the player back to the Cape.
Naqelevuki has since made a big contribution to Western Province's resurgence in the Currie Cup, and has been in fantastic form since he was converted to outside centre alongside Springbok and WP skipper Jean de Villiers.
But it seems that Naqelevuki has been playing with a shoulder injury that could need rehabilitation after the Currie Cup season is over.
And the injury could well keep the player out of Fiji's international tour scheduled for England, France and Italy in November.
"We'll have to take a look at the extent of Sireli's injuries," WP senior coach Erasmus told Die Burger.
"His shoulder will be assessed at a later stage, and it will also depend where Province finish in the Currie Cup," Erasmus said, hinting that the union could well decide to keep Naqelevuki in Cape Town to repair the damage to his shoulder.
Naqelevuki's contract with Province has recently been extended until 2009.
