Rugby: Fiji winger free to play

By CHRIS RATTUE

The dispute involving Crusaders wing Marika Vunibaka has been resolved, Fiji says.

Fiji Rugby Union chief executive Bob Challenor claimed this week that Vunibaka, a star of the sevens circuit, had not received the proper clearance to play for the Super 12 champions.

However, Challenor said yesterday that Fiji appreciated some of their players being able to take part in the Super 12, and they could return to their national side with "relative ease."

Vunibaka will also turn out for Canterbury in the NPC, although he would have to be available for Fiji if they had internationals during that time. None is scheduled for this season.

No transfer fee was involved because the deal was done before the new International Rugby Board transfer regulations were introduced in September.