15 Jul 2011

Fiji soldier named in squad for Test in NZ

12:21 pm on 15 July 2011

A Fiji military officer is named in the rugby squad preparing to play the All Blacks in Dunedin next week, but officials say he won't try to enter New Zealand.

The New Zealand Government has a policy of not granting visas to Fiji sportspeople with military ties.

Leone Nakarawa is a soldier in the Fiji army and a lock in the rugby team.

The Fiji Rugby Union wants him to be able to play in the World Cup, but says it won't be testing New Zealand government sanctions by trying to get him into the country for next week's test.

Team manager Talemo Waqa says he's optimistic that New Zealand will have a change of heart by the Rugby World Cup.

However, the New Zealand Government said last month it won't relax the sanctions.

The Fiji team is due to arrive in New Zealand on Wednesday.