Their claims about not being informed of the jersey sizes is a question that Ba needs to ask within themselves, because someone did not get the information down to the Managers as well as Coaches and players.
Fiji Rugby Union Tournament Director, Jiko Matawalu stated this after concerns were raised by Ba coach Vilimoni Delasau saying they have been unfairly treated after their round 1 Skipper Cup game against Suva was declared a friendly match.
This was due to the Ba team wearing BLK sponsored jersey and not the QAQA sponsored jersey issued to them by the Fiji Rugby Union.
Matawalu says there is an official playing kit apparel which is QAQA supplied by Jacks Fiji Ltd and all teams are supplied with on field playing kits to wear in the competition.
He says there are also commercial guidelines for participating teams to honour.
The FRU Tournament Director says after a series of discussions prior to the competition even to the last reminder during the issuance of their playing kits during the launch on Feb 21st, they still insisted.
Matawalu says after the talanoa sessions in November 2023, all unions were given to choose the format of the competition for 2024 and upon receiving that, they were all requested to give their sizes by December 2023 as production was due to start in January 2024.
He says on game day, the Match Commissioner even warned the Team Managers, of which the Ba U20 Team honoured but the Senior Team decided to take the field with a competitive apparel supply.
The Tournament Director says the Match Commissioner under the power vested upon him ruled the match in favour of Suva who will take 5 points from that match with Ba nil even with the match being played.
Matawalu says this is the penalty for breach and it is unfortunate that the Ba Rugby Union officials in their first appearance in the Skipper Cup after 26 years decided to take this path.
He says there is a Terms of Participation of which all participating teams in the 4 competitions Skipper Cup, ANZ Marama, Vodafone Vanua Cup and Royal Tea Ranadi have to abide by.
He says there is fair treatment given to all participating teams, with clear communication and processes throughout the build up.
The FRU Tournament Director says they also had Naitasiri, Yasawa, Lautoka, Ovalau and other teams that enquired with their office regarding the same, and the same message was released to all, but Ba Rugby decided to swim against the tide.
He says they will be getting a full report on Round 1 games from their appointed Match Commissioners and will be able to release an updated points standing for Round 1.
Matawalu says this is a warning to all teams that they mean what they have in their Terms of Participation for 2024.
Matawalu says this was thoroughly done and can be confirmed by all unions who have been active enough throughout the preparation stage.
Ba Rugby Union coach Vilimoni Delasau has expressed his disappointment and says they have been unfairly treated today after their round 1 Skipper Cup match against Suva was declared a friendly match.
This was due to the Ba team wearing BLK sponsored jersey and not the QAQA sponsored jersey issued to them by the Fiji Rugby Union.
The game was won by Suva 29-0 but no points were given to the winning side after the decision was made before the game kicked off.
Delasau says they were not even contacted by the FRU to at least get the jersey sizes of the players but they just issued the jersey that did not even fit the players.
He says they spent over $8,000 to prepare for this match and this is how it turned out.
The former Flying Fijians winger adds the jersey that was issued to them by FRU was like the size of school kids' uniforms.
He says it is really sad to see that they have been treated unfairly and adds that someone is not thinking right.
Suva led the game at halftime 19-0 through 3 tries and two conversions.
Ba gave Suva a good run for their money in the second spell as the Capital City side only managed to score 2 unconverted tries.
Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations
