The Fiji Rugby Union Trustees Board has addressed allegations of corruption and delayed bonus payments raised by former Flying Fijians Captain Waisea Nayacalevu. In a statement, the Trustees expressed their disappointment and concern over comments made in an interview with the Daily Mail.
They highlighted the importance of clarity regarding the allegations, particularly the claims of corruption within Fiji Rugby. The Trustees called for Nayacalevu to specify any particular instances of corruption and provide corresponding evidence.
The board explained that they assumed responsibility for Fiji Rugby in May 2023, four months ahead of the Rugby World Cup. During this time, their primary focus was securing funding to prepare the Flying Fijians for training, matches, and to ensure their return to clubs afterward.
According to the Trustees, a contract was established where each player on the Flying Fijians squad would receive a sign-on fee of $30,000, along with a daily allowance of $500 from July 16 to October 15, 2023. Additionally, there were bonus incentives agreed upon, including $30,000 for advancing to the quarterfinals, $40,000 for reaching the semifinals, and $50,000 for winning the final, contingent on the team’s performance.
The Trustees noted that Fiji Rugby and World Rugby covered all expenses related to the team’s preparation and participation in the Rugby World Cup, including travel, accommodation, meals, equipment, and other incidentals, all of which had been included in their budget.
They acknowledged there were minor delays in payments to some overseas players due to the confirmation of their banking details.
The Trustees emphasized the national pride felt by the Flying Fijians, many of whom represent their families and country when called upon. However, they recounted an incident three days before the quarterfinal, where a meeting was arranged by the Team Manager involving the Captain and several players who demanded bonus payments prior to the match, threatening not to play without them.
Recognizing the seriousness of this threat and its potential impact on financial flows, Fiji Rugby sought assistance from the Prime Minister’s Office to facilitate the bonus payment earlier than anticipated. An agreement was made that the requested quarterfinal bonuses would be paid immediately following the match.
The Trustees affirmed that they could not risk any boycott by the team, particularly in such a crucial match, as this could lead to severe repercussions for both the players and Fiji Rugby’s future participation in World Rugby events. They stated that Nayacalevu and other senior players were aware of this but chose to proceed with their demands anyway.
They confirmed that all payments, including the bonus, sign-on fees, and daily allowances, have been made, with each player receiving approximately $105,000 in total for their involvement in the World Cup. The Trustees reiterated their commitment to supporting the national teams in future competitions and emphasized their efforts to improve team management and performance.