Fijians barred from Australia

PERTH, Australia (AP) - The assistant manager and a key player in Fiji's national rugby team have been barred from Australia ahead of Saturday's test against the Wallabies because of links to the Fiji military, which took power in a coup last year. Manager Semi Rogoyawa and prop Alefoso Yalayalatabua, who serve in the Fijian navy, have been denied visas under travel sanctions imposed by Australia against members of the Fijian armed forces and their families. "That is in accordance with Australia's travel restrictions on the Fiji military and other supporters of the coup," a spokesman for Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said. "Military personnel who are members of Fiji teams are covered by our policy on visas." The official stressed the visa ban fell under existing travel regulations and did not constitute the imposition of sporting sanctions. "The scheduled test match (between Australia and Fiji) demonstrates (this)," he said. Rogoyawa, a naval warrant officer, said he was "outraged" by the ban. He said while his visa application had not been formally rejected, the delay in processing his passport, caused by his military links, made it impossible to travel to Australia in time for Saturday's test. "When a national team is going the manager has lots of responsibilities," he said. "If the same situation was in Fiji, Fiji would never stop Australians from coming here to play. It is sports, it is not politics." Rogoyawa said the Fiji team would miss Yalayalatabua, 30, who was one of its key players, and who was a private in the navy when the coup occurred last December. "He doesn't know anything about the coup. I really feel sorry for the kid," he said. Fiji coach Ilie Tabua said his squad had been shocked by the decision. "It is really very disruptive, and those boys were really looking forward to coming," Tabua said. "But we have got to tough it out and forget about it." With an unfamiliar Wallabies lineup - stars such as Matt Giteau and Nathan Sharpe will depart for South Africa on Friday to prepare for the Tri-Nations tournament - Tabua says his young side was preparing to stand up to the favorites. "We have to take it to them, you cannot let them dictate," said Tabua. "It is going to be a good tussle, and for us there are a lot of chances to challenge ourselves." Later, Tabua named his team for Saturday's match, making wholesale changes to his forward pack. The more experienced Henry Qiodravu will play at prop and Apolosi Satala at flanker, while skipper Alifereti Doviverata moves back to No. 8. In the backs, Tabua named a new halves combination of Moses Rauluni and Jo Tora. Fiji: Marika Vakacegu, Mosese Luveitasau, Vereniki Goneva, Gabiriele Lovobalavu, Isoa Neivua, Jo Tora, Moses Rauluni, Alifereti Doviverata (captain), Akapusi Qera, Apolosi Satala, Kele Leawere, Ifereimi Rawaqa, Henry Qiodravu, Sunia Koto, Graham Dewes. Reserves: Bill Gadolo, Apisai Turukawa, Wame Lewaravu, Tomasi Soqeta, Vitori Buatava, Jack Prasad, Taniela Rawaqa.

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