The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Viliame Gavoka, expressed his dismay over recent corruption allegations against the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) made by overseas-based players. In an interview with SUNsports, Gavoka, who previously served as the FRU chairman, highlighted the challenges faced by the board of directors and staff at Rugby House.
His comments followed a media interview with former Flying Fijians captain Waisea Nayacalevu, who spoke about plans to boycott last year’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final match against England due to unpaid bonuses and alleged corruption within the FRU. Senior players, including Semi Radradra, Levani Botia, Meli Derenalagi, Jiuta Wainiqolo, and Albert Tuisue, supported Nayacalevu’s claims and called for the removal of the interim trustees and staff members at FRU.
Gavoka described everyone involved in rugby as honorable individuals and noted that many are volunteers who dedicate significant time and effort without financial compensation. He expressed sadness at the notion that the administration and board were to blame for the players’ frustrations.
He acknowledged that rugby is an expensive sport, particularly for Fiji, where it is primarily played by the iTaukei community, and resources are limited. Gavoka stated that despite these challenges, the goal remains to compete against top teams like England and France, while recognizing the financial disparity with those countries.
He emphasized that funding has consistently been a challenge for the FRU, urging respect for current officials, including Peter Mazey, and acknowledging the difficulties in attracting sponsorship for a smaller market like Fiji. Gavoka noted the importance of support from entities like Fiji Water and Fiji Airways but reiterated that financial resources remain a persistent issue for rugby in Fiji.
Additionally, he highlighted the tough reality faced by FRU employees, who often came to work uncertain about their wages. Gavoka reflected on his time as chairman, feeling empathy for the staff who faced this uncertainty.