Fiji rugby head coach, Ilivasi Tabua's contract has been terminated today by the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU).
According to the FRU Board, the decision has been made considering a recent alcohol related incident involving the national coach, in the middle of the Pacific Nations Cup tournament, as serious misconduct unbecoming of a person in that position.
FRU Chairman Bill Gavoka stressed that they can never condone inappropriate behavior.
Gavoka said the National Coach is a role model to his players, fellow coaches and also to the many young rugby followers around the country.
He added it is one of the most senior positions in the organization and one that is held in high regard.
Gavoka said the incident is serious enough to warrant termination more particularly when it occurred during the tournament in which team rules had specifically prohibited alcohol consumption.
Tabua joined the FRU as the High Performance Unit Academy Coach in September 2006 before taking over as national coach from Wayne Pivac in January 2007 and guiding the side to the quarterfinals of the World Cup.
Gavoka said a technical adviser is expected to come from abroad to oversee the Fiji 15s team in the November Europe Tour.
He said the technical adviser will be assisted by forwards coach, Iferemi Tawake and backline coach and National 7s coach, Iliesa Tanivula.
When approached by Fijivillage this afternoon Tabua said he will not comment on the matter, however he handed over a letter from him addressed to the FRU Acting CEO Keni Dakuidreketi.
In the letter, Tabua stated that the rules of justice require that the FRU give him specific details of his behavior amounting to gross misconduct.
Tabua outlines that it is public knowledge that his predecessors Wayne Pivac and Peter Murphy were charged and subsequently convicted of drunk driving during their term which the FRU chose to ignore.
He alleged that now the FRU turns around to use the same standards as a basis for his removal and that perhaps the FRU is advancing the colonial hangover mentality of a different rule for locals and a different one for expatriates.
Tabua said the FRU should come clean and disclose the real reasons why it is seeking his removal and not hide behind some lame excuse lacking any real basis.
In the termination letter from the FRU to Tabua, the FRU also said he was guilty to gross insubordination for clearly being in defiance of the Acting CEO's demand to furnish a report following the PNC tournament, which according to the FRU Tabua failed to do six weeks after the tournament.
However, in his response Tabua points out that the PNC report had been furnished and in fair due process, perhaps a warning letter would be most suited response in the circumstances.
Meanwhile, chairman of the FRU Board Bill Gavoka said that this decision was reached due to the seriousness of the offense.
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Ilivasi Tabua sacked
