Fiji international Peceli Yato to miss Rugby World Cup

Fiji's Rugby World Cup preparations has been dented another blow with Clermont star back-rower Peceli Yato ruling himself out of the showpiece event.

The 30-year-old already represented the country in the 2015 and 2019 editions and was part of their training squad and now becomes the second player to make himself unavailable for the tournament in France after lock Api Ratuniyarawa.

Yato has represented Fiji in 30 Tests and has featured in over 150 games for Clermont, which he joined in 2014.

“The Fiji Water Flying Fijians will be going to the Rugby World Cup without one of their key and senior players Peceli Yato. Coach Simon Raiwalui has confirmed that Yato removed himself from the camp earlier this week," read a report on FBC News.

“The Nadroga man trained with the team at the Sigatoka sand dunes last weekend and was part of their training session on Monday. Raiwalui says Yato left the squad on his own accord. He adds they had a situation where Yato chose to leave the camp and they respect his decision.

“The national coach adds Yato led from the front in their past three weeks together. Raiwalui says at the moment no new players will be brought in to replace Yato.”

Fiji are grouped in Pool C alongside Wales, Australia, Georgia and Portugal.