Fiji’s full back Sireli Maqala (right) passes the ball ahead of Portugal’s fly-half Jeronimo Portela (left) during the France 2023 Rugby World Cup Pool C match between Fiji and Portugal in Toulouse.
Photo: AFP
Senior members of the Flying Fijians team, including some who played at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, have reportedly called for drastic changes at the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU).
The players spoke with FBC Sports in Suva this week, and former Flying Fijians captain Waisea Nayacalevu said he had evidence to back his claims of corruption against the union, which he had made last week.
FBC Sports spoke with France-based Levani Botia and Viliame Mata, and current Flying Fijians players Albert Tuisue and Ratu Meli Derenalagi, who say they want a major clean-up at Rugby House.
They said things need to change for the better as instances of players not being paid on time has continued over the years with no sign of improvements.
Botia said what Nayacalevu claimed in a tell-all interview with the Daily Mail last week was true.
The tough flanker said he and others had to keep pushing players to focus on the games and not worry about their allowances and pay.
“We kept pushing the players to play because this is something we talk about is that we have to play and not worry about the money, they (FRU) will do their job and we trusted them to do their job so some of the boys did not receive their payment and some of the boys do not have their bonus.”
Waisea Nayacalevu, left, says he has the evidence to suport his claims.
Photo: AFP / VALENTINE CHAPUIS
The FRU had responded to Nayacalevu’s claims of a possible boycott of the team’s quarterfinal clash against England in France because of late payments of allowances and bonuses.
Interim chairman Peter Mazey admitted they were late but added everything was paid out.
He also called on Nayacalevu to provide evidence.
FBC Sports is reporting that Nayacalevu is ready to provide evidence.
“If you guys want evidence, I’ll send it to you,” he told the state broadcaster.
“This concerning the last tour, especially how can you send a manager to a tour with a credit card without any money in there to pay for the teams excess luggage for the team and the coaches have to pay for the excess luggage for a few other players at the airport flying from Fiji to London.
“And the coach have to pay for the laundries, lunches out and dinner and that just shows how it is.”
The manager at the time was Eleina Macdonald, who has since been changed with Bill Gadolo, the manager to the World Cup.
He said this scenario has happened over a long time while he was with the Flying Fiijians.
Nayacalevu said, like any other employed person, they expect to be paid on time and what they are promised, because they also have families to support and bills to pay.
Levani Botia is backing Nayacalevu.
Photo: Pauline Ballet – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images
“Everything has been piling up for me personally and when they asked that question, I just exploded – I’m just going to tell you the truth that this is what really happened during the World Cup.”
He said the FRU is being defensive about these issues.
Big number eight Peceli Yato had walked out on the team last year, while they were in camp in Fiji before the world meet.
RNZ Pacific reached out to Yato for an interview but he said he would not be able to divulge information of what transpired.
The FRU is yet to respond to the latest revelations by the players.
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