The Trustees Board of the Fiji Rugby Union has addressed allegations of corruption and delays in bonus payments made by former Flying Fijians Captain Waisea Nayacalevu. The Trustees expressed their disappointment and concern over Nayacalevu’s comments during a Daily Mail interview.
In their statement, the Trustees noted, “He has raised serious allegations against the team at Rugby House. Our concern centers on the grave charges of corruption at Fiji Rugby. We believe he should clarify what he means by this statement. If he knows of any specific instances of corruption, he should present the evidence for all to review.”
The Trustees took over Fiji Rugby in May 2023, shortly before the World Cup, and prioritized securing funding to support the Flying Fijians for training and competition. They confirmed that each player in the squad of 33 was set to receive a sign-on fee of $30,000 along with a daily allowance of $500 from July 16 to October 15, 2023.
With government support, bonuses were established, including $30,000 for winning the quarterfinal, $40,000 for advancing to the semifinals, and $50,000 for triumphing in the final, contingent on the team’s success.
Additionally, the Trustees stated that Fiji Rugby and World Rugby covered all expenses for the team’s preparation and participation in the 2023 Rugby World Cup, including travel, accommodations, meals, gear, and other necessities, all of which were budgeted by Fiji Rugby, World Rugby, and the government.
The Trustees acknowledged that there had been some payment delays for a few overseas-based players due to the confirmation of their bank details.
They highlighted the national pride of the Flying Fijians, noting that most players are motivated by family and country when representing Fiji.
Three days before the quarterfinal, a Zoom meeting was held where the Captain and some players demanded bonus payments before the match, threatening to boycott the game if their demands were not met. The Trustees took this threat seriously and sought government assistance to expedite the payment of bonuses.
The Prime Minister’s office assured the players that they would receive the quarterfinal bonuses shortly after the match. The Trustees emphasized that they could not risk a boycott during the World Cup, as it could lead to expulsion from future World Rugby competitions.
Despite the pressures, the promised bonus was paid, along with the sign-on fee and daily allowances. Each player in the squad received approximately $105,000 for their participation in the World Cup.
The Fiji Rugby Trustees reiterated their commitment to supporting their teams in upcoming competitions, emphasizing their intention to learn from past experiences and enhance the management and performance of their teams.