Waisea Nayacalevu, the captain of the Flying Fijians, has disclosed that their quarterfinal match against England at the 2023 Rugby World Cup was nearly derailed due to player dissatisfaction over unpaid bonuses and allegations of corruption within the Fiji Rugby Union. In a detailed interview, the 34-year-old, who has recently signed with the Sale Sharks, indicated that several players were ready to boycott the match.
Nayacalevu stated, “We need to cut off this virus that has always been there,” referring to the ongoing issues within the Fiji Rugby Union. He expressed the frustration felt by players, highlighting promises made that went unfulfilled, specifically regarding bonuses. The team was preparing to walk out of the match if payments were not made by a certain deadline he had set.
He noted that it was not the first instance of the union making empty promises to the team, and several senior players, including Semi Radradra and Levani Botia, stood firm against this cycle of neglect. The dilemma with the union was a major distraction for the team as they aimed to make history by reaching the semi-finals.
Nayacalevu, who has represented Fiji for over a decade, shared that this situation is recurrent, with players often facing delays in payments. He mentioned that the team received their dues just days before the crucial match against England, which he described as “close” and ultimately a distraction from their focus.
Despite their efforts, Fiji suffered a narrow 30-24 defeat to England, a setback that Nayacalevu believed could have been avoided. He expressed disappointment, stating they had built strong plays only to be disrupted by the opposing side’s tactics.
Looking ahead, Nayacalevu reflected on his international career, hinting that 2023 might have been his last year representing Fiji. He hopes future players will continue to challenge corruption within the union. “If we didn’t have corruption, if we had professional people in charge, then Fiji would be better,” he remarked, stressing the need for accountability and improvement.
Having spent most of his club career in France, Nayacalevu is now adapting to his new role at Sale Sharks, where he is expected to fill the gap left by Manu Tuilagi. The Fiji Rugby Union has been contacted for comment on Nayacalevu’s claims.