Sport:Fijian Latui still hoping to play amid coronavirus concerns

Fiji Latui coach Senirusi Seruvakula says it's business as usual despite the uncertainty hanging over the upcoming Global Rapid Rugby tournament due to the novel coronavirus outbreak.

The Fijians are scheduled to host their season-opener match in Suva against the Shanghai-based China Lions on 14 March, but under new measures to contain the Wuhan coronavirus the Fiji government has banned non-citizens who have been in mainland China within 14 days of their intended travel to Fiji.

The Latui team are also due to play their second match against the China Tigers in Hong Kong a week later.

Seruvakula is optimistic their first game will still be played in Fiji, but says he should know more information next week.

"Fiji Rugby and the general manager for the franchise has been talking with Global Rapid Rugby because our second game is in Hong Kong so there's been talk and next week we'll finalise and confirm everything," Seruvakula said.

Dates and venues may be unpredictable at this point, but Fiji are taking no chances at claiming some of the total pool prize worth $1 million Australian dollars.

"To win that $350,000, it's going to help the programme of the Latui because straight after that is the NRC (Australia's National Rugby Competition), so it's going to help the preparation for the Drua programme and other programmes here in Fiji so it's going to help a lot here if we get that money," he said.

The Latui team will head into a three day training camp next Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Global Rapid Rugby CEO, Mark Evans, who described the inclusion of China as 'crucial' to the long-term development of rugby throughout Asia, remains hopeful that the China Lions and the Hong Kong-based South China Tigers can be kept in the competition.

According to reports from AAP alternative plans were being discussed to ensure the competition goes ahead.

The other teams to compete in the competition are the Western Force, Malaysia Valke and Manuma Samoa.