Daniel Leo, a prominent former Samoan rugby player, has urged Fijian rugby players both locally and internationally to come together and establish an independent players’ union, separate from organizations like the Fiji Rugby Union or World Rugby.
This appeal comes in the wake of a dispute involving the Fiji Rugby Union and a faction of Flying Fijian players, led by Waisea Nayacalevu, who have raised concerns about unmet commitments regarding bonuses during the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
As the stakeholders await an independent audit report soon to be released, Leo emphasized the necessity for Fijian rugby players to create their own association, structured similarly to a trade union. This union would aim to represent the interests of both professional athletes and those aspiring to go professional, such as academy players.
Leo proposed that this players’ union could be financed through salary deductions from the players, thus eliminating any financial ties to World Rugby. He stated, “The new players’ association or union should be player-funded through deductions, but it should also have the right to use player imagery for commercial return to the players and the union.”
He highlighted that while current players involved with the Fijian Drua franchise and those under contract with the FRU are part of the Pacific Rugby Players welfare organization, it remains under contract with the FRU. Leo pointed out, “PRP is contracted to the FRU as the exclusive body that Rugby House recognizes as representing players’ interests. But have you heard from the PRP in this three-week-long media storm about player payments and alleged corruption? No. Their silence is deafening.”