Each player in the RWC squad was paid $105,000 - FRU Board

The Fiji Rugby Football Union Trust Board says they are saddened by former Fiji Water Flying Fijians captain Waisea Nayacalevu’s comments, as each player in the Rugby World Cup Squad was paid $105,000 each.

The Trustees say they took responsibility of Fiji Rugby in May 2023, 4 months prior to the Rugby World Cup and at that time their biggest priority was in finding the funding to get the Flying Fijians into camp, to train, and then to play in the World Cup, and return to their clubs.

They say after negotiations, it was agreed that each Flying Fijian squad member (33 players) would receive a sign on fee of $30,000 and an allowance of $500 per day from 16 July to 15 October 2023, a period of 91 days.

With Government backing, the Trustees say bonuses were offered at that time of $30,000 for winning the quarter final, $40,000 for winning the semi final and $50,000 for winning the final.

They say the bonuses were therefore based on the team’s achievements.

The Trustees say in addition to that remuneration, Fiji Rugby and World Rugby paid for all expenses for the Flying Fijians for preparation for and participation in the 2023 Rugby World Cup – all travel to, from and during camp; international air travel; all accommodation and meals; all playing and training gear; and incidentals.

They say these had all been budgeted for, by Fiji Rugby, World Rugby and Government although there were some delays in the payments to a handful of overseas based players, due to confirming their overseas bank details.

The Trustees say regrettably, three days before the quarterfinal, the Team Manager arranged a Zoom meeting between the Captain, some team members and the Fiji Interim Rugby Administrator at that time.

They say in that meeting, the Captain and some players demanded payment of bonuses prior to the quarter final and they threatened Fiji Rugby that they wouldn’t play the quarterfinal match unless the bonuses were paid first.

The Trustees say they took this threat seriously and realized the pressure this put-on Fiji Rugby’s cash flows and had no option but to approach the Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka for Government assistance to pay the bonus, much earlier than planned.

They say an undertaking was given to the players by the Prime Minister’s Office that they would be paid the quarter final bonus they demanded, immediately after the quarters as Fiji Rugby could not and will never risk a boycott of any match by a Fiji Rugby team, let alone a quarter final of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

The Trustees say the consequence of such a boycott would likely have seen Fiji players and Fiji Rugby being expelled from participating in World Rugby matches.

They say Waisea Nayacalevu as Captain and the senior players were aware of this but unfortunately still proceeded with their demands.

The Board says the bonus was not only promised but was paid.

They say the sign on fee of $30,000, and the $500 daily allowance have been paid.

They say in total, each player in the squad for the duration of the camp and RWC received around $105,000 for playing in the World Cup.

The Board says Nayacalevu has brought up issues and made serious accusations against the team at Rugby House.

They say their concern is the serious accusations of corruption at Fiji Rugby.

The FRU Board says Nayacalevu should have been asked to specify exactly what he means by this statement.

They ask does he know of any specific cases of corruption, and if so, to please lay out the evidence for all to examine.

The Trustees say Fiji Rugby’s focus is on supporting our teams in future competitions and have learnt from the past and are working hard to achieve continuous improvements in the management and performance of our teams.

In an extensive interview with the Daily Mail, Nayacalevu revealed that the Rugby World Cup quarter-final match against England last year almost didn't happen.

Nayacalevu says that the Fiji players were prepared to boycott the fixture over unpaid bonuses and alleged corruption at the Fiji Rugby Union.

His claims come just a month after Fiji was reinstated to the World Rugby Council after a prolonged exile. Nayacalevu skippered his country at the World Cup in France and led the play strike threats to the bigwigs.

He says they need to cut off this virus that has always been there.

The centre says they weren't going to play the match against England, they were going to walk out as the FRU had promised them things and they didn't get it as they were promised a bonus.