Brown's fight for Raiwalui

Newport face Neath in the cup final at the Millennium Stadium on May 13, but face being without Raiwalui.

Newport chief executive Tony Brown has twice spoken to Fiji's Australian coach Greg Smith asking for Raiwalui's release, but has been turned down each time.

That was before the semi-finals, but now Newport have made it to the final the case has been given added urgency.

"I've had two long chats with Greg Smith to try to persuade him that this is a big opportunity for Simon, but he is not prepared to release him," said Brown.

"We're playing in the final on the 13th, but we can get Simon into Fiji on the 16th in time for the second trial on the 19th which is 12 days prior to Fiji's first international.

"Under IRB rules we have to release players for internationals and give sufficient time for training.

"But even Graham Henry doesn't have players for that length of time.

"Why deprive a player of the opportunity when he is such a big player for us? Couldn't they excuse him?"These things come once in a lifetime. To deprive him of that when he's already a seasoned international is unfair.

"Greg Smith is adamant, but we haven't given up and we're trying every opportunity.

"Simon is a big favourite with the fans, and he also missed Gary Teichmann's testimonial game in South Africa last year.

Newport will face a Swansea side in the league at St Helen's on Saturday night without Scott Gibbs, who broke his thumb in the cup semi-final against Neath. His deputy Steve Winn is with the Wales sevens squad in Malaysia which means David Weatherly, who has signed for Ebbw Vale, is likely to play.

"I'm leaving for Ebbw Vale in the summer and I'm looking forward to the challenge," he said."I'll be linking again with Mike Ruddock, a coach I have a lot of respect for, and playing in fresh surroundings will give me a nice boost.

"But I will be giving my all for Swansea over the next month. That is the way it's always been with me and I want to go out on a high.

"What better way to leave Swansea than helping them claim the championship?"Wales flanker Colin Charvis will lead Swansea in the absence of Gibbs.

First published on Wednesday 18 April 2001: Brown's fight for Raiwalui by Argus reporter

NEWPORT are not giving up on key lock Simon Raiwalui playing in the Principality Cup final, though he has been told he must return to Fiji to play in two trial matches for the Epson Pacific Rim tournament.

Newport face Neath in the cup final at the Millennium Stadium on May 13, but face being without Raiwalui.

Newport chief executive Tony Brown has twice spoken to Fiji's Australian coach Greg Smith asking for Raiwalui's release, but has been turned down each time.

That was before the semi-finals, but now Newport have made it to the final the case has been given added urgency.

"I've had two long chats with Greg Smith to try to persuade him that this is a big opportunity for Simon, but he is not prepared to release him," said Brown.

"We're playing in the final on the 13th, but we can get Simon into Fiji on the 16th in time for the second trial on the 19th which is 12 days prior to Fiji's first international.

"Under IRB rules we have to release players for internationals and give sufficient time for training.

"But even Graham Henry doesn't have players for that length of time.

"Why deprive a player of the opportunity when he is such a big player for us? Couldn't they excuse him?"These things come once in a lifetime. To deprive him of that when he's already a seasoned international is unfair.

"Greg Smith is adamant, but we haven't given up and we're trying every opportunity.

"Simon is a big favourite with the fans, and he also missed Gary Teichmann's testimonial game in South Africa last year.

Newport will face a Swansea side in the league at St Helen's on Saturday night without Scott Gibbs, who broke his thumb in the cup semi-final against Neath. His deputy Steve Winn is with the Wales sevens squad in Malaysia which means David Weatherly, who has signed for Ebbw Vale, is likely to play.

"I'm leaving for Ebbw Vale in the summer and I'm looking forward to the challenge," he said."I'll be linking again with Mike Ruddock, a coach I have a lot of respect for, and playing in fresh surroundings will give me a nice boost.

"But I will be giving my all for Swansea over the next month. That is the way it's always been with me and I want to go out on a high.

"What better way to leave Swansea than helping them claim the championship?"Wales flanker Colin Charvis will lead Swansea in the absence of Gibbs.