The Fiji Rugby Union has officially regained its membership in the World Rugby Council. Minister for Youth and Sports, Jese Saukuru, announced this development during an interview, highlighting it as a key topic in discussions with Education Minister Aseri Radrodro regarding Deans Rugby matters.
Saukuru confirmed, “The good news is that we have been reinstated in the board of World Rugby. I received the news yesterday that we have been reinstated.” The FRU was suspended in May 2023 due to illegal operations and various governance issues, which led to the loss of its voting rights.
Following the suspension, World Rugby, in collaboration with the FRU, the Fijian government, and FASANOC, developed a roadmap aimed at ensuring immediate stability, continuity of programs, and protection of future participation in major events, while broader governance issues are resolved over a longer term.
On July 1, 2024, the FRU adopted its constitution and approved a new structure during a Special General Meeting at Novotel in Lami. This decision marked a significant move by the interim board of trustees and all key unions involved in the Rugby House framework to facilitate Fiji’s return to the global rugby governing body.
Interim chair of the FRU, Peter Mazey, mentioned a positive meeting with World Rugby in Paris and indicated that a formal notice from World Rugby was forthcoming.
The reorganized structure of Fiji Rugby includes the Fiji Rugby Football Union Charity Trust overseeing its commercial and operational components. A new management entity, Fiji Rugby Union Pte Ltd, will be established to manage the constitution, the FRU board, the chief executive, and the operations at Rugby House. Additionally, the FRU holds a 49 percent stake in Counter Ruck Pte Ltd, the owner of the Fijian Drua franchise.
The next step for the FRU is to convene its annual general meeting.