Ex-Wallaby Giteau outlines fears of being stranded in Japan away from family

Ex-Wallabies star Matt Giteau has urged the Japanese Top League to quickly make a decision about the remainder of the season amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

The league has already been suspended due to the virus, but was set to resume before a recent drugs arrest caused it to be halted again for “education compliance”. 

But with the pandemic worsening around the world, players are urging the league to make a decision as they face the prospect of being barred from their native countries for the foreseeable future. 

The 103-cap veteran Giteau, who plays for Suntory Sungoliath, recently took to Twitter to explain the problem he is facing just after flying back to Japan from Australia. 

He said: “There are more important things than rugby right now. I love living and playing here in Japan but not to the extent of being locked out of Australia away from my family until June. I’m hoping Top League can make a decision either way before it’s too late.”

Australian citizens abroad are being encouraged to return home as soon as possible as the government could be about to impose a lockdown. 

Players like Giteau are now in limbo and face the prospect of being exiled from their homeland for an extended period. 

Kiwi and Mitsubishi Dynaboars player James Wilson has also raised his concerns, calling on the Top League to “do right by the players” as he wants to return home. 

The vast majority of sporting events around the world have been suspended in order to prevent the spread of the virus, and it is clear that the foreign players in Japan want the Top League to follow suit. 

Giteau returned to Japan from Australia only the other day, sharing the photos of the empty plane he was travelling on as flights around the world are being restricted and many countries are urging people to minimise social interaction to prevent the spread of the virus. 

The Top League are expected to make an announcement soon - and it can’t come soon enough for players like Giteau who seek to return home. 

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