Raiwalui World Cup chances "diminishing"

By Jason Harris (filed: 23/7/03)
July 25 2003

Saracens' new lock forward Simon Raiwalui has been omitted form Fiji's 26-man touring party to New Zealand. The former Newport captain's chances of representing his country in this autumn's World cup now appear slim, according to Fijian rugby web site teivovo.com.

Raiwalui's omission for the three-match tour prompted teivovo to say that, as a result, his chances of playing in Australia in Octover are "diminishing".

Saracens' other Fijian Niki Little meanwhile has been called up into the squad which will be expanded to 30 for the follow-up tour to South America starting on 10 August.

Should Raiwalui not make the cut, it will be a boost to Sarries who will then probably be missing only Little, Canadian scrum half Morgan Williams, Scotland hooker Robbie Russell, France's Raphael Ibanez and the England pairing of Kyran Bracken an Richard Hill from their squad for the first half of the new Zurich Premiership season.