Racing Metro president Jacky Lorenzetti . . . we did not pay Fijians to stay in Paris. Photo: Racing Metro website
A denial by Racing Metro president Jacky Lorenzetti that the Top 14 club tried to prevent Fijian players from competing in the 2011 Rugby World Cup still leaves doubt about whether he is telling the truth or trying to keep up a good image for the French club.
Lorenzetti’s denial comes in the wake of former backline coach Simon Mannix, now backs coach at Munster, claiming through AFP on Monday that comments made by the former All Black during his interview with Total Rugby in January, 2012 had been “distorted”.
Mannix had earlier claimed that the French club made payments to encourage Sireli Bobo, Jone Qovu, Josh Matavesi and Virimi Vakatawa to be unavailable for the 2011 Pacific Nations Cup, effectively ruling themselves out of World Cup selection.
But in a UK newspaper The Independent; Mannix was quoted: “Racing Metro had Fijians who declined to go to the World Cup… because the club gave them a cheque if they stayed [in Paris].”
For a UK newspaper to quote him with those words and published earlier this month leaves room for doubt for Lorenzetti’s forthrightness which he did not address in his denial on the Racing Metro website.
“Racing Metro have never prevented any player, neither Fijian or of another nationality from participating in the World Cup or an international tournament,” Lorenzetti wrote.
“The selection of one of our players in a national team is a cause for pride and honour in the club.”
“The best proof is that Albert Vulivuli, another Fijian playing for Racing, did indeed participate in the last World Cup.”
Winger Bobo and second rower Qovu, who are still playing for Racing Metro, cited “personal reasons” in 2011 for their decision not to play in the Pacific Nations Cup during the Top 14 season.
Racing-Metro signed Cornwall-born Fijian utility back Matavesi from Exeter Chiefs as medical cover in March 2011, and he too said he wanted “to focus on his club” as did winger Vakatawa.
The Fijian Rugby Federation made a formal complaint to their French counterparts over star lock Jone Qovu withdrawing from their autumn test squad claiming he was injured before he then played for Racing-Metro.
The French Rugby Federation (FFR) took immediate action in telling Racing that Qovu would not be able to play until December 4 after the period when Fiji had played their three tests.
Fiji Rugby Blog 