The Fiji Rugby Union is unaware of 7s winger Savenaca Rawaca’s move to join French club La Rochelle.

FRU chief executive officer John O’Connor confirmed they have yet to receive a release letter for Rawaca.

Rawaca is believed to have signed a deal with French club La Rochelle. He was spotted at the French Embassy in Suva yesterday lodging his visa and also met with the French Ambassador to Fiji Michel Djokovic.

O’Connor confirmed yesterday La Rochelle did not seek for Rawaca’s release from Rugby House.

“We’ve not received any request for his release from any club.

“Any overseas club signing a local player has to seek release of the player from his provincial union and FRU and we have not received anything from overseas club,” O’Connor said.

Rawaca is expected to link up with Levani Botia and Kini Murimurivalu who play for La Rochelle.

Rawaca earlier signed a rugby contract in January to play for Saracens in England. But pulled out citing personal reasons last month.

7s Final Checks

The shortlisted candidates vying for the Fijian 7s coach position were interviewed on Wednesday.

FRU chairman Francis Kean confirmed yesterday the panels are now going through final checks before they announced the successful candidate to guide our national 7s team for the World Rugby Sevens 2016/2017 Series in December.

“Interviews were conducted on Wednesday.

“The panel are now doing reference checks,” Kean said.

It is understood 13 names were shortlisted for the job to take over from Ben Ryan.

Fiji and New Zealand are the only two teams in the sevens circuit who have yet to name their coaches for the new season.

The 7s coaches confirmed for the series are  Santiago Gomez Cora  (Argentina), Andy Friend (Australia), Simon Amor (England), Frederic Pomarel (France), Calum MacRae (Scotland), Neil Powell (South Africa), Mike Friday (USA), Gareth Williams (Wales).

Former New Zealand 7s boss Gordon Tietjens joins Samoa while former Samoa coach Damian McGrath joins Canada and Innocent Simiyu for Kenya.

Edited by Osea Bola

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