Waisea Nayacalevu, the captain of the Flying Fijians, disclosed that their quarterfinal match against England at the 2023 Rugby World Cup almost didn’t take place due to players’ dissatisfaction with unpaid bonuses and corruption within the Fiji Rugby Union. In a detailed interview with the Daily Mail, the 34-year-old Serua native, who recently signed with Sale Sharks, stated that the team had considered a boycott of the match.
Nayacalevu expressed the necessity to eliminate the persistent issues within the rugby union, mentioning the players were not willing to overlook the empty promises made to them. He highlighted that, leading up to the England match, the players had organized a presentation to discuss their grievances over the unfulfilled commitments, including bonuses, and set a deadline for payment.
The veteran player noted that issues with the Fiji Rugby Union had been recurring for a long time but emphasized that this time, senior players, including Semi Radradra and Levani Botia, were determined to address the situation. This struggle with the administration distracted the team as they aimed to achieve a historic semi-final spot in the tournament.
Nayacalevu remarked on the ongoing problems, recalling that it was not the first time players were delayed in receiving payments. Just days before their match against England, the team received their dues, which he admitted affected their focus.
Despite these off-field challenges, Nayacalevu maintained that Fiji had the potential to win the World Cup and expressed frustration over their performance against England, where they fell short in the last minutes.
Looking ahead, he indicated that 2023 could be his last year in international rugby, which motivated him to advocate fiercely for his teammates. Although he has continued to represent Fiji this year, participating in significant matches, he hopes future Flying Fijians will stand firm against corruption within the union.
Nayacalevu, who has enjoyed a long club career in France, joining Sale Sharks this year, believes that better management and professionalism within the rugby administration would greatly benefit Fiji’s rugby future. The Fiji Rugby Union has been contacted for a statement regarding Nayacalevu’s allegations.