ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
REGISTER
LOGIN
ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
Wednesday Mar 18, 2020

Left in limbo, Giteau and others could be exiled from their homelands for extended periods

Former Wallabies star Matt Giteau has urged the Japanese Top League to make a decision about the remainder of the season amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

ADVERTISEMENT

The league has already been suspended due to the virus, but was set to resume before a recent drugs arrest caused it to be halted again for “education compliance”. But with the pandemic worsening around the world, players are urging the league to make a decision as they face the prospect of being barred from their native countries for the foreseeable future. 

The 103-cap veteran, who plays for Suntory Sungoliath, recently took to Twitter to explain the problem he is facing. He said: “There are more important things than rugby right now. I love living & playing here in Japan but not to the extent of being locked out of Australia away from my family til June. I’m hoping Top League can make a decision, either way before it’s too late.”

Australian citizens abroad are being encouraged to return home as soon as possible as the government could be about to impose a lockdown. Players like Giteau are now left in limbo, as he faces the prospect of being exiled from his homeland for an extended period. 

Kiwi and Mitsubishi Dynaboars star James Wilson has also raised his concerns, adjuring the Top League to “do right by the players” on Twitter, as he wants to return home. 

ADVERTISEMENT

The vast majority of sporting events around the world have been suspended in order to prevent the spread of the virus, and it is clear that the foreign players in Japan want the Top League to follow suit. 

Giteau returned to Japan from Australia recently, sharing the photos of the empty plane he was traveling on, with flights around the world being restricted, and many countries urging people to minimise social interaction to prevent the spread of the virus. 

ADVERTISEMENT

The Top League are expected to make an announcement soon, and it cannot come soon enough for players like Giteau who seek to return home.

Related Articles

  • 43 WEEKS AGO

    Ellis Genge puts on his boxing gloves ready...

  • 43 WEEKS AGO

    Crazy scenes as player deliberately kicks...

  • 43 WEEKS AGO

    RFU make decision on transgender players...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Jack Crowley drops the ball on dime for brilliant Munster try in URC Final

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    WATCH: World class offload from James O’Connor Leads To Long Range Reds Try

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Leinster up and running with two incredible tries inside the first five minutes

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Chiefs Score The “Best Team Try” In Super Rugby History

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    La Rochelle centre Seuteni produces other worldly offload in dominant victory

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    Watch: Cheslin Kolbe Dominates Sebastian Cancelliere with back-to-back big tackles

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Ben Curry's World Cup hopes dashed as he becomes the latest victim of the crocodile roll

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Australian rugby player banned for 5 years after assaulting referee

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Anthony Watson comes within seconds of a Tuilagi haymaker

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    South African Panel Debate Apparent ‘Clean Cut’ Red Card In Interesting Debate

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 4 HOURS AGO

    Barbarians Vs World XV highlights

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Silly Skill From Toulouse Fullback Highlights French Confidence

  • 14 WEEKS AGO

    Ardie Savea Moment Of Magic In Super Rugby Aotearoa

  • 15 WEEKS AGO

    'Armchair athletes' berate Arundell's seriously impressive bench press

  • 15 WEEKS AGO

    Worcester Warriors - The End

View All

Funnies

  • 6 HOURS AGO

    Munster Rugby loving life in Cape Town Following URC Final Victory

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    WATCH: La Rochelle Players Gate Crash O’Gara Interview

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    WATCH: Stade Rochelais Coaches With All-Time Coaches Box Celebration

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Stephen Jones’s deleted rugby 7s article leads to hilarious wikipedia update

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: DHL Stormers Celebrate Munster Victory In Style

View All

Amateur

  • 20 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 20 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 43 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 43 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 43 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    John Afoa breaks record on return to Super Rugby

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Harry Potter to ‘disapparate’ to Australia

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    Steve Hansen makes statement following Folau selection

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    O'Gara gives honest response on Ireland job in passionate interview

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Australian rugby player banned for 5 years after assaulting referee

View All