Fiji Rugby Football Union Trust Board: Response to Waisea Nayacalevu’s Interview.
The Trustees are indeed saddened but concerned by Waisea’s comments. He has brought up issues and made serious accusations against the team at Rugby House.
Our concern is the serious accusations of corruption at Fiji Rugby. He should have been asked to specify exactly what he means by this statement. Does he know of any specific cases of corruption? If so, please lay out the evidence for all to examine.
The Trustees took responsibility of Fiji Rugby in May 2023, 4 months prior to the World Cup and at that time our biggest priority was in finding the funding to get our Flying Fijians into camp, to train and then to play in the World Cup, and return to their clubs.
After negotiations, it was agreed that each Flying Fijian squad member (33 players) would receive a sign on fee of $30,000 and an allowance of $500 per day from 16 July to 15 October 2023 (91 days). With Government backing, bonuses were offered at that time of $30,000 for winning the quarter final, $40,000 for winning the semi final and $50,000 for winning the final.
The bonuses were therefore based on the Team’s achievements.
In addition to that remuneration, Fiji Rugby and World Rugby paid for all expenses for the Flying Fijians for preparation for and participation in the 2023 Rugby World Cup – all travel to, from and during camp; international air travel; all accommodation and meals; all playing and training gear; and incidentals also. These had all been budgeted for, by Fiji Rugby, World Rugby and Government. Admittedly there were some delays in the payments to a handful of overseas based players, due to confirming their overseas bank details.
The Flying Fijians are a nationally proud group, most of whom play for national pride when they are called up to do so for family and country.
Regrettably, three days before the quarterfinal, the Team Manager arranged a Zoom meeting between the Captain, some team members and the Fiji Interim Rugby Administrator at that time. In that meeting, the Captain and some players demanded payment of bonuses prior to the quarter final and they threatened Fiji Rugby that they wouldn’t play the quarterfinal match unless the bonuses were paid first.
We took this threat seriously and realized the pressure this put-on Fiji Rugby’s cash flows. We had no option but to approach the Prime Minister for Government assistance to pay the bonus, much earlier than planned.
An undertaking was given to the players by the Prime Minister’s Office that they would be paid the quarter final bonus they demanded, immediately after the quarters.
Fiji Rugby could not and will never risk a boycott of any match by a Fiji Rugby team, let alone a quarter final of the 2023 Rugby World Cup. The consequence of such a boycott would likely have been Fiji players and Fiji Rugby being expelled from participating in World Rugby matches. Waisea as Captain and the senior players were aware of this but unfortunately still proceeded with their demands.
The bonus was not only promised but was paid. The sign on fee of $30,000 has been paid. The $500 daily allowance has been paid. In total, each player in the squad for the duration of the camp and RWC received around $105,000 for playing in the World Cup.
Fiji Rugby’s focus is on supporting our teams in future competitions. We have learnt from the past and are working hard to achieve continuous improvements in the management and performance of our teams.