Sam Matavesi, the hooker for the Flying Fijians, expressed the team’s eagerness to represent their country at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, whether competing in a quarterfinal or facing Georgia in a remote location. In a recent social media message, Matavesi emphasized the pride of wearing the national jersey and standing for their people.
He noted that the players have never demanded excessive salaries; rather, they seek fair compensation that aligns with global standards. Matavesi highlighted that thanks to the efforts of senior players in 2019 and again in 2023, there was a pay increase, but stressed the importance of timely payments as per the agreements made.
Matavesi revealed the seriousness of the situation when players had to inform the Fiji Rugby Union board about their willingness to strike during a World Cup quarterfinal just to receive what was rightfully theirs. He criticized the current state of the Fiji Rugby Union, stating that it is in dire need of reform, imagining a scenario where the board fully supported the players and management with the shared goal of victory.
With his experience in the team, he lamented that issues have become a recurring theme in every training camp. Matavesi acknowledged the contributions of fellow players who have pushed for change, warning that without these efforts, the potential of Fijian rugby could be severely underutilized. He concluded with a call for necessary changes in the management and structure of Fijian rugby.