Fiji’s captain for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, Waisea Nayacalevu, along with fellow senior players Levani Botia and Semi Radradra, has publicly addressed issues concerning the management of Fiji rugby, clarifying that their concerns extend beyond financial matters.
In a recent discussion on a widely shared social media podcast, Nayacalevu highlighted ongoing allegations regarding the Fiji Rugby Union’s failure to deliver promised incentives following the Rugby World Cup. He emphasized the importance of prioritizing the future of young rugby players in Fiji rather than focusing solely on monetary issues.
Nayacalevu pointed out that players have yet to receive certain agreed-upon payments that were supposed to be fulfilled before the tournament, stating, “Enough is enough.” He stressed that these issues have been persistent for a long time, contributing to a negative perception of Fiji Rugby, and called for increased professionalism at the organization’s leadership level.
Botia echoed Nayacalevu’s sentiments, revealing that many players, including himself, have not received the promised bonus of $105,000, although they did get their $30,000 salary split into two payments before and after the World Cup. Botia expressed confusion regarding the whereabouts of the funds, saying, “I have no idea where it went.”
The senior players are now demanding a thorough investigation into the ongoing situation within Fiji Rugby.