After recent incidents at the Kadavu Rugby Union’s Southern Rally, Nakasaleka rugby head coach Vilikesa Vulakauvaki has accepted responsibility for the issues caused by official interference. He reported that Nakasaleka entered two teams in the senior division and one in the under-19 category.
Vulakauvaki expressed that the situation arose from a “vakavanua style” of decision-making. He noted that there were discussions among other teams about withdrawing from the competition, which he attributed to the actions of Nakasaleka’s officials.
He emphasized the need for officials to move away from traditional practices in order to foster growth in the sport. On the second day of the event, Nakasaleka officials informed him that Nakasaleka One must forfeit their semi-final match against Nakasaleka Two. Furthermore, they conveyed to the organizers that the under-19 team should be declared champions because they finished first in the round-robin stage.
This announcement did not sit well with the other teams, leading to their departure from the venue. Vulakauvaki remarked on the need for clear communication and commitment within Nakasaleka rugby, reiterating that the attitudes of officials could hinder players’ ambitions to represent their region.
Kadavu Rugby Union vice-president Rusiate Wadali backed Vulakauvaki’s assertion that the sport needs to operate independently from traditional influences. He described the events as a minor setback and highlighted the urgency to distinctively separate the rugby union from village matters to ensure progress.
Wadali mentioned plans to present a clear direction for the rugby team at an upcoming meeting with provincial leaders, stressing the importance of reconciliation among chiefs and club officials. He called for respect toward the independent governance of rugby in Kadavu and outlined steps to move forward without external interference.