The Fiji Rugby Union Trust Board has expressed concern following recent comments by Flying Fijians captain Waisea Nayacalevu, who accused the organization of corruption and mismanagement during the Rugby World Cup.

In a statement, the Trustees addressed the allegations and called for clarification, particularly on the captain’s claim of corruption within the rugby administration.

Serious accusations of corruption

The Trustees voiced their disappointment, stating that Nayacalevu’s comments have raised serious questions about the integrity of the Fiji Rugby Union.

“He should have been asked to specify exactly what he means by this statement,” the Board said.

They urged Nayacalevu to present evidence if he had knowledge of specific cases of corruption, emphasizing the need for transparency.

Challenges in World Cup preparation

The Trust Board explained that it assumed responsibility for Fiji Rugby in May 2023, just four months before the Rugby World Cup.

Their primary focus at that time, they said, was securing the necessary funding to send the Flying Fijians to France.

Following negotiations, each player was guaranteed a $30,000 sign-on fee and a daily allowance of $500 from July 16 to October 15, 2023, covering 91 days.

Additionally, a bonus structure was agreed upon: $30,000 for winning the quarterfinal, $40,000 for a semifinal victory, and $50,000 for securing the World Cup title. The Board stressed that these bonuses were performance-based.

Fiji Rugby, alongside World Rugby, covered all other expenses for the team’s preparation and participation in the World Cup, including travel, accommodation, meals, and training gear.

However, they admitted there were some payment delays for a few overseas-based players due to issues with verifying international banking details.

Boycott threat

The Board confirmed that three days before the quarterfinal match against England, the team’s manager arranged a Zoom meeting between Nayacalevu, several players, and the interim rugby administrator.

During the meeting, the players demanded that their bonuses be paid before the quarterfinal and threatened to boycott the match if this demand was not met.

The Trust Board acknowledged the seriousness of this threat and the potential consequences, including Fiji being expelled from World Rugby competitions.

In response, they sought assistance from the Prime Minister’s office, securing an agreement that the bonuses would be paid immediately after the quarterfinal.

Payments made

The Board assured the public that all payments, including the $30,000 sign-on fee, the daily allowance, and the promised quarterfinal bonus, were paid as agreed.

“In total, each player in the squad received around $105,000 for participating in the World Cup,” the statement read.

Looking ahead, the Trustees emphasized that Fiji Rugby is committed to improving the management and performance of its teams and has learned from the challenges faced during the World Cup.

They reiterated their focus on future competitions and supporting the development of the sport in Fiji.