The Fiji Rugby Union has welcomed the decision by the International Olympic Committee to postpone the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Speaking to SUNsports yesterday FRU chief executive officer John O’Connor said they were grateful that the decision made was for the safety, health and welfare of the players.

The Team Fiji men’s and women’s rugby 7s teams are the only sport in the country to have qualified for the 2020 Olympics.

The Fijian men’s rugby 7s team won gold at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

O’Connor said the next move was to plan for the HSBC Men’s World Sevens Series tournaments in London and Paris in September while the women prepare for the Langford 7s tournament in Canada.

“Right now, all the players have been given their individual training programme and they are working on it. They are going to keep on it before they are instructed on what to do next,” O’Connor said.

The CEO highlighted that they were going to work closely with the Government before they decide on their next move.

July tests

World Rugby says it is planning for all scenarios when it comes to the upcoming July internationals amid the coronavirus pandemic.

With rugby effectively suspended around the globe until at least the beginning of May and a host of Six Nations matches already postponed until October, the shape of the international calendar looks increasingly unclear.

O’Connor said they were also working with World Rugby on the review of the situation and its impact.

According to Rugby Australia, the Wallabies are set to host Ireland for two July tests and play Fiji in a standalone fixture in Townsville, but with Queensland’s borders locked down and travel bans in place around the country indefinitely, the fate of these tests is under a serious cloud.

World Rugby’s Executive Committee, of which Australian Brett Robinson is a member, and Professional Games Committee met overnight to discuss financial risk modelling and rugby’s plans for this period of uncertainty.

“These are very difficult and entirely unprecedented times for society and sport. Our primary and immediate responsibility is to ensure the health and wellbeing of the global rugby community and to collectively support those in need,” Robinson said.

Edited by Naisa Koroi

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