Fiji Water Flying Fijians hooker Sam Matavesi recently addressed the current challenges facing the Fiji Rugby Union on social media. He voiced his concerns regarding the ongoing issues with player payments and the lack of support from the FRU board.
Matavesi emphasized that players are not asking for excessive sums of money; instead, they simply wish to be compensated on time as per their agreements. He noted that players have met their obligations by not demanding more at the time of contract signing, expecting instead that payments would be made as stipulated.
He acknowledged the efforts of senior players in advocating for fair pay increases, stressing that their primary goal has always been to represent Fiji with pride and commitment. “We’ve never asked for ludicrous money, just to be paid in line with the times of the world,” Matavesi stated, referring to successful negotiations in 2019 and again in 2023 for better compensation.
He revealed that the lack of support from the FRU board has resulted in financial uncertainty during team camps, making players anxious about receiving their contracted payments. Matavesi called for a change in leadership within the organization, suggesting that a new board should be fully devoted to supporting both players and management in achieving success.
He praised the determination of senior players such as Waisea Nayacalevu, Semi Radradra, and Levani Botia in advocating for their rights and driving reform within the system. Matavesi insisted that without their efforts, the future potential of Fijian rugby could be drastically limited, adversely affecting the development of upcoming generations of players.