Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has acknowledged concerns raised by former Flying Fijians Captain Waisea Nayacalevu regarding issues of corruption and mismanagement within the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU), highlighting that these points reveal more serious problems that require immediate action.
This afternoon, Rabuka noted that he was made aware of the ongoing administrative difficulties within the FRU, particularly following Nayacalevu’s comments in an interview with the Daily Mail UK.
“When I received this information, I realized that maladministration was still present within the Fiji Rugby Union. During the last meeting, when they (FRU) decided that the government would play no part in its operations, I accepted that it was their organization and they would handle it as they wished,” he stated.
He also mentioned that the member unions voted in favor of a new structural change during a Special General Meeting at the Novotel Suva Lami Bay Convention Centre.
“This new structure allows unions to nominate and vote for their preferred candidates for each position. There will be no government or Prime Minister’s nominee, nor a World Rugby appointee; it will be purely a Fiji Rugby matter, where union members have the voting power,” Rabuka explained.
He added that while it is the FRU’s duty to manage its affairs, his focus remains on supporting the Flying Fijians.
“When the team considered boycotting last year’s World Cup quarterfinal, I informed the then interim administrator Simione Valenitabua, ‘Let the team train, and the government will provide the funding.’ Our national team deserves nothing less than our complete support.”