By David Williams
Wales’ first World Cup opponents Fiji have suffered a major blow ahead of their clash on Sunday – the loss of fly-half Caleb Muntz for the entire tournament.
Muntz has been ruled out of Rugby World Cup 2023 after sustaining a knee injury during the team’s training run on Monday.
Head coach Simon Raiwalui confirmed the 23-year-old sustained the injury in a non-contact session and will miss the tournament.
Fiji open their campaign in Pool C against Wales in Bordeaux on Sunday.
INJURY UPDATE.
Caleb Muntz ruled out of the Rugby World Cup.
Read: https://t.co/RAkDLY7c24 pic.twitter.com/Nzck9w0tqf— Fiji Rugby Union (@fijirugby) September 6, 2023
Raiwalui said: “It’s most devastating for us as a group and for Caleb, he has worked so hard for the past two years with the Fijian Drua and for Flying Fijians.
“We feel for him as a young man that he misses the opportunity so close to the Rugby World Cup.”
He added: “We have got 33 players and we have the utmost confidence in them. Once we name the team for the match against Wales we will have utmost faith in whom we have selected.”
Muntz made his debut for the Flying Fijians against Tonga in July and won his fourth cap in their recent 30-22 victory over England at Twickenham, kicking 15 points.
🤕 HUGE blow for Fiji.
Star flyhalf Caleb Muntz has been ruled out of the Rugby World Cup after sustaining a knee injury in training. 🇫🇯#RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/nLfHNLHAUA
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) September 6, 2023
Raiwalui said there are several players outside the current group they are looking at as options to replace Muntz and will make a decision in the next couple of days.
The other fly-half in Fiji’s squad of 33 is Teti Tela, who also plays for the Fijian Drua in Super Rugby.
Picks👉 @mark_keohane and Zels drop their picks for the clash between Wales and Fiji at Stade de Bordeaux on Sunday 🏴v🇫🇯#RWC2023 #WALvFIJ pic.twitter.com/mCDRQxtHBj
— SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag) September 6, 2023