Following numerous social media posts relating to the late Pasikali Naevo, Fiji Rugby Union (‘FRU’) would like to release the following statement:

FRU was deeply saddened and shocked by the passing away of the late Pasikali Naevo and had expressed its condolences and reguregu to his family at the funeral gathering at Nawaka Nadi on 2nd March 2023. 
The late Pasikali Naevo was part of FRU’s academy and a member of its extended training squad of 52 players selected for the Fijian Drua U20 team which was due to participate at the Super Rugby U20 New Zealand competition.

Following training, the late Pasikali Naevo was rushed to hospital from training on 23rd February 2023 and later, died on 26th February 2023.

On receipt of several reports, FRU Board had asked the entire Fijian Drua U20 Team Management to stand down to allow a medical audit to be undertaken and to record their response during training and after the late Pasikali Naevo was rushed to the Namaka Health Center.

The purpose of the medical audit was to review FRU’s standard operating procedures (SOP) relating to a player joining the main squad were fully complied with.

The findings from the medical audit received on 20th March 2023 confirm that the late Pasikali Naevo was not in camp with the main Fijian Drua U20 team but had joined a training session from home on 23rd February 2023. The training started at about 10.30 am and was a non-contact session. The late Pasikali Naevo had presented the need for assistance within 30 minutes of the start of the session and was given the due attention, before being rushed to the Namaka Health Centre.

FRU provides that it is unable to make any comments after the late Pasikali Naevo was referred to the Namaka Medical Centre as it was not in control of or aware of any medical treatment that he received. FRU also understands that a post-mortem examination was not conducted, therefore, any comments on his cause of death cannot be made.

As to social media comments on the Team Management continuing with the management of the Fijian Drua U20 team, FRU was disallowed by competition regulations to make any such changes and the medical audit did not express any adverse recommendations against the Team Management.

To assist the players and the Management Team manage the psychological impact of the incident, a post-trauma counseling session was organized before the team left for New Zealand. FRU Board will be looking at taking further statements from the team and Team Management now that they have returned from New Zealand.  

Meanwhile, Fiji Rugby Union’s Acting CEO, Mr. Sale Sorovaki, has met with members of the Naevo family.