Waisea Nayacalevu, the captain of the Flying Fijians, has disclosed that the team nearly boycotted their quarterfinal match against England at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France due to dissatisfaction over unpaid bonuses and allegations of corruption within the Fiji Rugby Union. In a comprehensive interview with the Daily Mail, Nayacalevu, who recently signed a contract with Sale Sharks, expressed that the players were on the brink of walking out of the match.
Nayacalevu emphasized the need to eradicate the corruption he claims has plagued the Fiji rugby system for years. He pointed out that despite promises made to the players, the issues remained unresolved and led to heightened tensions. “If you don’t pay us by this day, nobody is going to play this quarter-final,” he asserted, describing a desperate situation that threatened their chances in the tournament.
The 34-year-old noted that this pattern of empty promises was not new and that he and several senior players, including Semi Radradra and Levani Botia, were determined not to let it slide this time. He acknowledged that the conflict with the Fiji Rugby Union became a significant distraction as they sought to make history by advancing to the semi-finals for the first time.
Having represented Fiji for over a decade, Nayacalevu lamented the recurring issues of late or incomplete payments that had troubled his teammates. The night before the England match, payments were finally received, but the distraction lingered.
Despite the turmoil, Nayacalevu maintained that Fiji possessed the potential to win the World Cup, and following the match against England, he and his teammates expressed frustration with the execution of their game plan. They fell short in a 30-24 defeat, with crucial late-game decisions from England securing their victory.
Nayacalevu indicated that 2023 could have marked his final year on the international stage, which fueled his determination to advocate for his teammates. He encourages future generations of Flying Fijians to confront corruption head-on, expressing hope for systemic improvements in the organization.
With a career largely spent playing in France for clubs like Stade Francais and Toulon, Nayacalevu has now joined Sale Sharks. He aims to step into the role vacated by Manu Tuilagi and has recently represented Fiji in significant matches, including against the All Blacks.
The Fiji Rugby Union has been contacted for comment regarding Nayacalevu’s allegations.