THE Fainu brothers have been ruled ineligible to represent Fiji at the Rugby League world cup after failing to meet the International Rugby League’s eligibility requirements. Wests Tigers trio Samuela, Sione and Latu Fainu had sought to play for Fiji through their grandmothers’ heritage but were unable to provide accredited documentation to support their claim.
International Rugby League (IRL) chair Troy Grant said the governing body had no concerns about the brothers’ desire to play for Fiji but was bound by its eligibility regulations.
“All three are eligible to play for Tonga and New Zealand but believe they have Fijian heritage that they wish to honour,” Grant said.
“Unfortunately, they have been unable to establish it with accredited records from Fiji.”
Grant said the IRL had extended the time frame for the players to provide supporting documents, but the required evidence had not been produced.
“The IRL has no issues with their application or desire to play for Fiji as it’s evident, they have a genuine desire to play for Fiji,” he said.
“The IRL has rigid eligibility criteria and has given them more time to provide credible documents to support their application.”
The brothers had been included in Fiji’s 40-member preliminary squad for the Rugby League World Cup alongside Mark Nawaqanitawase, Api Koroisau, Jahream Bula and Sunia Turuva.
The absence is a setback for Fiji as the Bati finalises its squad for the world cup later this year, with selectors now expected to look elsewhere to fill the vacant positions.
