September 2017 Doubleheader in South Africa

[Blue Voodoo]

This is worrying news - it can't be easy for the two lads

Do we need to launch a " Free the Jo burg 2 " campaign ?

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Can't get the Mandela song "Nacewa will be free...Isa Isa Nacewa" out of my head now.

One was a leader accused of plotting extreme violence in search of victory for his people. The other was Nelson Mandela.

[riocard911]

Musha, sure there's nothing like adversity to get the group dynamic going! Hang in there, lads!!!!

[Edna Kenny]

It's all part of Sean Cronin's plan to play at centre.

[Hippo]

Seriously how does this kind of sh!t happen! How can management not have checked this in advance??

[BlueBlue]

Feck!

[johng]

[Ruckedtobits]

Before we start talking about flying in replacements for the club captain, we should maybe hope the matter gets resolved.

It seems insane that nobody would have thought about checking this. It also seems insane that Kiwis do need a visa to enter South Africa https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_poli ... exemptions
If I can google it, why did nobody (including the players) not think of this.
Hopefully, it can be sorted.

This isn't the first time such issues have arisen but surprised we got caught out. See this item from earlier this summer:

CHIEFS MIDFIELDER ALEX NANKIVELL DENIED ENTRY TO SOUTH AFRICA AFTER PASSPORT VISA ERROR – NZ Herald 21ST JULY 2017

Chiefs midfielder Alex Nankivell has had to fly home from the South African border after being denied entry owing to a “clerical error”.
Chiefs Coach Dave Rennie said Nankivell got a different date on his visa in his passport than the rest of the Squad that had travelled to play Sunday morning’s (NZ time) Super Rugby playoff match against the Stormers in Cape Town.
“It was a clerical error and there was absolutely no flexibility from the South African border officials and they said he had to be sent back to the port that he came from which was Sydney” Rennie said.

Hope they can resolve it locally but a flight back to London and getting a Visa there shouldn't be insurmountable, but its a pain in the ar*e.

[wixfjord]

Before we start talking about flying in replacements for the club captain, we should maybe hope the matter gets resolved.

It seems insane that nobody would have thought about checking this. It also seems insane that Kiwis do need a visa to enter South Africa https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_poli ... exemptions
If I can google it, why did nobody (including the players) not think of this.
Hopefully, it can be sorted.

This isn't the first time such issues have arisen but surprised we got caught out. See this item from earlier this summer:

CHIEFS MIDFIELDER ALEX NANKIVELL DENIED ENTRY TO SOUTH AFRICA AFTER PASSPORT VISA ERROR – NZ Herald 21ST JULY 2017

Chiefs midfielder Alex Nankivell has had to fly home from the South African border after being denied entry owing to a “clerical error”.
Chiefs Coach Dave Rennie said Nankivell got a different date on his visa in his passport than the rest of the Squad that had travelled to play Sunday morning’s (NZ time) Super Rugby playoff match against the Stormers in Cape Town.
“It was a clerical error and there was absolutely no flexibility from the South African border officials and they said he had to be sent back to the port that he came from which was Sydney” Rennie said.

Hope they can resolve it locally but a flight back to London and getting a Visa there shouldn't be insurmountable, but its a pain in the ar*e.

Would surely mean that they won't feature on Sat though. 3 long flights in a week!

[cormac]

http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/nacewa-and- ... th-africa/

Isa no visa. Him and Gibson-Park returning. McCarthy to travel to South Africa.

[Dave Cahill]

http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/nacewa-and- ... th-africa/

Isa no visa. Him and Gibson-Park returning. McCarthy to travel to South Africa.

And no explanation because sure aren't we only customers

[wixfjord]

What an utter shambles.
Leinster need to explain how this happened. Makes a supposedly pro organisation look very amateur.

Also how are we allowed to bring out McCarthy? Dispensation from Pro12 I wonder? And if we're bringing out McCarthy, then why not bring out one of the O'Briens?

Seriously short at fullback now.

[bails]

This smells, " no further statement at this point"

Something fishy going on, either massive c~*k up within the Club and heads must roll, or c~*k up on Pro 14 front, and a serious case should be taken against them.

We are flying athletes half way round the globe, to end like this is totally unprofessional.

I thought Leinster Rugby has passed this stag tour kind of problem, but obviously not !

[neiliog93]

Very, very poor. I wouldn't be surprised if they mistakenly assumed the visa conditions (i.e on arrival/not needed at all) were the same for NZ + Irish passport holders.

[bails]

Interesting that no word of Zebre having any visa difficulties with their band of travellers from all over the globe

Maybe they read up beforehand

[curates_egg]

Well, sorry to have brought the bad news but what a c~*k-up that is.
If they really traveled with no visas, then it is big mistake for which Easterby is ultimately responsible. Can't expect two Kiwis who have been here since before the law changed to know they now needed visas. I have heard anecdotal evidence of corrupt SA border officials refusing people entry to try and get bribes...but it seems unlikely in such a high-profile situation.
It will cost us a few grand in flights, depending on how we manage it - and it is hard to try and claim Pro14 is responsible.

The disruption of losing a player like Isa is huge though. He is the heartbeat of the team, particularly with no internationals.
I would hope they are looking at getting him a visa in London and flying him back by the weekend. He won't make the Kings game, but we should be ok for that one. For the Cheetahs game, we will need players with experience like him on the pitch.

[gfo]

Some info, boys: New Zealand changed their immigration system earlier this year requiring South African citizens to have a visa to enter NZ. As a result, SA changed their requirements so Kiwis now need a visa to enter South Africa.

The change only affects Kiwis, neither JGP or Nacewa were aware of the changes and it seems no one in the Leinster Branch was aware of the changes or their significance.

[curates_egg]

Some info, boys: New Zealand changed their immigration system earlier this year requiring South African citizens to have a visa to enter NZ. As a result, SA changed their requirements so Kiwis now need a visa to enter South Africa.

The change only affects Kiwis, neither JGP or Nacewa were aware of the changes and it seems no one in the Leinster Branch was aware of the changes or their significance.

All there in the thread already.
The open questions are:
- why nobody thought of this?
- can we get Isa back over in time for Cheetahs?

[domhnallj]

What an utter shambles.
Leinster need to explain how this happened. Makes a supposedly pro organisation look very amateur.

Also how are we allowed to bring out McCarthy? Dispensation from Pro12 I wonder? And if we're bringing out McCarthy, then why not bring out one of the O'Briens?

Seriously short at fullback now.

Well since neither JPG or Isa entered SA jurisdiction they haven't been replaced. That's my logic.

[jimbobjoe]

Interesting that no word of Zebre having any visa difficulties with their band of travellers from all over the globe

Maybe they read up beforehand

They have no kiwis in their squad