Waisea Nayacalevu, the captain of the Flying Fijians for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, has called for significant reforms within the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU). He expressed concerns that changes are essential to prevent ongoing issues at Rugby House from undermining the future of the sport in Fiji, particularly concerning younger players preparing to represent the nation.
In a conversation with Facebook influencer Lesi Vanuavou, Nayacalevu, alongside fellow players Levani Botia and Semi Radradra, openly criticized the FRU for matters including unpaid contracts, unmet promises, and a financial crisis affecting coaches and officials. The Fiji Times reports that these issues were presented to the FRU management following the team’s recent tour.
The players reflected on their experiences during last year’s Rugby World Cup, where they staged three strikes due to late payments that affected their performance. Nayacalevu emphasized the need for accountability from the FRU leadership, calling for experienced personnel to manage the organization to prevent further mismanagement.
Radradra elaborated on the strikes that occurred during the pool stages and the quarterfinals, stating that the disruptions were driven by concerns over late payments, which adversely impacted the team’s mental preparation and subsequent match outcomes.
Nayacalevu also highlighted the longstanding nature of these payment issues, exacerbated by the union’s past management. Botia supported this claim, discussing difficulties that arose concerning contract terms and negotiations regarding daily allowances. Players demanded allowances be raised from $300 to $500 per day, as bonuses were deemed insufficient.
Further complicating matters, Nayacalevu indicated that the players were told about the potential bonuses for quarterfinal success, but were later informed about serious debt within the FRU. Radradra revealed that World Rugby provided a bonus of 66,000 pounds for teams reaching the quarterfinals, and players remain unaware of how these funds were allocated.
Additionally, Nayacalevu raised recent payment issues during a high-profile match against the All Blacks, revealing that players faced delayed allowances and that certain players went weeks without payment, while some coaches and officials had yet to be compensated. He noted that coach Mick Byrne had to personally cover expenses for laundry, food, and excess luggage due to the FRU’s financial mismanagement.
Radradra recounted travel complications during a trip to Georgia and highlighted issues with flight connections. He explained that delays caused players to incur extra expenses for visas, and several players were forced to use personal credit cards for some costs.
Following these issues, Nayacalevu felt compelled to voice concerns after the All Blacks match, indicating that younger players turned to senior members to seek updates on payments. He criticized the FRU for a lack of transparency and a consistent pattern of delayed payments, resulting in frustrations among the players regarding the fulfillment of their contractual obligations.
Radradra warned of potential repercussions for players possibly excluded from future tours, while Nayacalevu articulated a personal resolve to advocate for necessary changes at the FRU, stating that these issues must be addressed for the benefit of future Flying Fijians.
As the situation unfolded, attempts to reach FRU officials for comments were unsuccessful before publication.