Fiji have been dealt a blow ahead of the Rugby World Cup after fly-half Caleb Muntz was ruled out of the tournament with a knee injury sustained in training on Monday, officials said.
New Zealand-born Muntz, 23, only made his Fiji debut against Tonga this year but has quickly become a key member of the team.
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“Caleb sustained a knee injury in a non-contact session and is out of the Rugby World Cup,” head coach Simon Raiwalui confirmed in a statement on Wednesday.
“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.”
Muntz kicked 15 points as Fiji beat England 30-22 in their final warm-up game last month.
Raiwalui is assessing his options in terms of a replacement and will make a decision in the next couple of days. Teti Tela is the only other specialist fly-half in the squad.
The Pacific islanders are in Pool C at the World Cup and open their campaign against Wales in Bordeaux on Sunday. They also face Australia, Georgia and Portugal in their group.