The acting chief executive officer of the Fiji National Rugby League, Don Natabe, has ‘thrown’ his full support to the recent official announcement by Rugby League World Cup organisers about the postponement of the Rugby League World Cup to next year.
Natabe said although FNRL was disappointed, it vehemently supports the decision.
“Although this is what we didn’t want to hear, FNRL remains steadfast about the collective decision being made by the International Rugby League board and the Rugby League World Cup organisers,” he said.
“We support the decision in the best interests of our players,” Natabe
said
According to the head of media and communications for RLWC 2021, Michael Gibson, who communicated with this newspaper via electronic mail, the organisers in tandem with the United Kingdom Government announced their intention to stage the flagship event during the rugby league calendar in 2022.
Gibson said the extremely difficult decision was taken by the RLWC2021 board.
“An extensive and urgent consultation, which was conducted by RLWC2021 chief executive officer Jon Dutton and his team engaged players, competing nations, the Rugby League Players Association (Australia), UK Government,
hosts, commercial and broadcast partners,” he said.
Gibson added the tournament organisers were faced with several complex and unique challenges, with the most significant being the non-release of 400 footie players, match officials and staff members from the National Rugby League (NRL) competition in Australia.
“We are working hard to confirm new tournament arrangements and will be providing updates as soon as practically possible,” Dutton said.
The withdrawal of 11-time and defending men’s champion Australia including 2008 winner and number two ranked New Zealand because of “player welfare and safety concerns pertaining to COVID- 19” ultimately became the focal point of the postponement.
The event was to be staged across 16 towns and cities in England and would have commenced on October 23.
The 2021 RLWC would have featured the men’s, women’s and wheelchair events.
