Fiji Bulikulas head coach Joe Rabele has urged members of the Fiji National Rugby League (FNRL) board to resolve their internal differences behind closed doors, warning that the public airing of disputes is damaging the organisation’s credibility and threatening preparations for the Rugby League World Cup.
Rabele’s comments follow an ongoing dispute between FNRL chairman Rajesh Singh and several staff members that has spilled into public forums and social media. “As a pioneer for rugby league in Fiji and after many years of involvement, this is the first time I have come across such conflict involving executives and staff within the organisation,” he said, describing the level of conflict as unprecedented in his experience.
The coach said public criticism and online debate have only intensified scrutiny of the FNRL and hindered progress. “When the FNRL board, the head of the organisation remains in an unresolved situation, it holds everyone back from moving forward,” Rabele said, calling on board members to take their disagreements offline so governance and program delivery can continue without distraction.
Rabele warned the fallout is already affecting on-field preparations. With the Rugby League World Cup, he noted, “just five months away,” there have been no local competitions organised to identify and prepare players for selection. He said the absence of domestic competition could directly impact the Bulikulas side and other representative squads. “This ongoing conflict is stopping us from progressing. There are no local competitions organised for player selection, yet the World Cup is months away. The board needs to resolve this matter urgently so we can prepare properly,” he said.
The coach also urged grassroots stakeholders to press for change. Rabele called on local rugby league clubs to demand a Special General Meeting (SGM) as a means of restoring proper governance and decisive leadership within the FNRL. He emphasised that unity and strong leadership were essential if Fiji rugby league is to remain competitive internationally.
Rabele’s remarks are the latest public intervention as tensions within the FNRL continue. He framed his appeal not as a critique of individuals but as a plea for the organisation to prioritise players and programmes over public disputes. “If there are no local players selected for the Bulikula team, then the board should not question that outcome. They need to address their issues first so we can establish proper competitions,” he said.
The call for private resolution and an SGM underlines growing concern among coaches and clubs that governance issues could erode Fiji’s readiness for major tournaments. With selection windows closing as the World Cup approaches, Rabele warned that time is running out for the FNRL to clear the internal impasse and get domestic rugby league back on a competitive footing.
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