Fiji’s captain for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, Waisea Nayacalevu, along with senior teammates Levani Botia and Semi Radradra, has decided to address concerns regarding the state of Fiji rugby, emphasizing that their actions are not motivated by financial gain.
The players appeared on a widely followed social media podcast, discussing allegations of mismanagement by the Fiji Rugby Union related to promised incentives since the Rugby World Cup. “It is not about the money, rather about the future of the next generation of Fiji rugby players,” Nayacalevu stated. He highlighted that agreements regarding player payments prior to the World Cup have not been fulfilled and expressed that the situation has become intolerable.
“This has been an ongoing issue for a long time,” Nayacalevu added, asserting that the current circumstances tarnish the image of Fiji rugby and that it’s essential to introduce more professionalism at the top level.
Botia supported these claims, noting that he, like many players, had yet to receive the promised $105,000 bonus, although they did receive a salary of $30,000 in two installments before and after the World Cup. “I have no idea where it went,” Botia remarked. The experienced players are now demanding a thorough investigation into the current issues surrounding Fiji rugby.