Fiji star left stranded because of visa issue

Fiji's preparations for its World Cup semi-final have suffered a hitch, with promising forward Viliame Kikau stranded in New Zealand for two days because of an expired visa.

And fringe winger Mikaele Ravalawa has also had a brush with the law across the Tasman; charged in the wake of a bar altercation in Wellington early Saturday morning.

Ravalawa was not selected to play the Kiwis later that day - and the charges were dropped.

It's understood the Raiders youngster was pushed in the bathroom by another patron.

He traveled with the team following their landmark victory over the Kiwis, but is not expected to face Australia in Friday night's semi-final.

But Kikau - a break-out performer for Penrith this year - is a certain pick for the Bati up front after impressing against New Zealand.

The 22-year-old was detained at Wellington Airport on Sunday as his teammates were about to board their flight to Brisbane.

New Zealand customs officials discovered his 401 Work Visa in Australia - organised by Penrith - had expired almost three weeks earlier, on October 31.

Kikau spent two nights in Wellington while World Cup organisers arranged a temporary visa. He boarded a flight this morning and was expected to arrive in Brisbane around lunch time.

But he missed this morning's field session at Langlands Park - Fiji's main training run for the week.