Wales fail in Manu bid

Scarlets prop set to represent Fiji

Last updated: 22nd October 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Wales fail in Manu bid

Manu: Set to play for Fiji

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Scarlets prop Deacon Manu looks set turn down Wales in a bid to play for his native Fiji.

The 30-year-old had been tipped to be included in Warren Gatland's Wales squad for the November Tests, having qualified under the IRB's residency ruling.

Manu was seen as the ideal solution to the Welsh propping problem, with Adam Jones and Gethin Jenkins among the front-rowers ruled out the autumn series of games.

However Fiji selector Mosese Taga has claimed that Manu has now decided to represent the country of his birth.

"We're delighted Deacon Manu has finally put his hand up for Fiji," former Fiji captain Taga said.

"Look around there's no better tighthead prop than him available to represent Fiji.

"It's a very crucial position and if we want to win our own balls we need a good tighthead otherwise we'll continue to struggle to win our own ball."