Maqala In Dublin, Hotel Quarantine
Olympic gold medallist Sireli Maqala is now under hotel quarantine at Dublin, Ireland.
He is on his way to honour his two-year contract with French Pro D2 club Aviron Bayonnais Rugby Pro (Bayonne).
The 21-year-old utility backline player from Delaiyadua, Burewai, Nakorotubu in Ra flew out of Nadi on Tuesday.
A close source in France yesterday confirmed to Sun sports that Maqala in now under hotel quarantine in Dublin for five days.
“Maqala has been booked into a top class hotel for five days with all expenses paid for,” the source said from France.
“This includes training facilities as he already has a training programme to work on.
“He is now a Bayonnee, he is scheduled to arrive into Bayonne either next Tuesday or Wednesday our time.”
Maqala will disembark at the Biarritz Airport, which is a four-kilometre drive to Bayonne.
Meanwhile, Bayonne is eyeing another Fijian provincial front rower to join Maqala soon.
“We at Bayonne are delighted to have Maqala on board as we build up our performance in the Pro D2 division.,” he said.
“He will definitely assist us get back to Top 14 rugby.”
The major national club competition in France is the Top 14 – played on a home and away basis between the top 14 club sides.
The second major competition is the French Pro D2.
A relegation system exists between the two tiers of competition operated by Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR).
Bayonne last competed in the Top 14 in the 2016-17 season.
The last time Bayonne won the French Pro D2 competition was in 2019; they were runners up last season.
Then there is the Fédérale 1, Fédérale 2, Fédérale 3 and a number of lower leagues.
Maqala will play along side Nadroga-born New Zealand sevens star Joe Ravouvou this season.
According to the source there is a possibility that Ravouvou is going to be his buddy to assist him settle in his new environment.
Ravouvou will join club officials at the Biarritz Airport to welcome him on the French soil.
According to the source club fans are as excited to see Maqala.
The other three Olympians playing in France Top 14 rugby are Vilimoni Botitu (Castres), Jiuta Wainiqolo (Toulon) and Aminiasi Tuimaba (Pau).
Fiji Airways Fijian 7s squad member Jone Manu (left) and Simione Cece during
a training session at Suva’s Albert Park with other team mates.
