Senior, former and current players of the Flying Fijians have raised questions about the whereabouts of the €600k (FJD$1.78 million) from the Rugby World Cup.
This amount was allocated by World Rugby to teams that qualified for the quarterfinals of last year’s Rugby World Cup in France.
During a Zoom call with FBC Sports, the players were asked if they had received any part of that sum and this is the response from Waisea Nayacalevu and Albert Tuisue.
“No, nothing! Nothing, nothing. Also on what they said about us getting $105,000(US$52,500), no no no, some of us have not even been paid fully (by the FRU) on the $45,000(US$22, 500) for reaching the RWC quarterfinals.”
In addition, Tuisue has called the FRU not being true for boldly stating that the sum of $105,000(US$52,500), was made to the team for their RWC outing last year.
Tuisue says that they had a discussion in Welagi, Taveuni during their camp last year that if they made the 33-member squad they would get a $30,000(US$15,000) sign-on bonus and if they qualify to the quarterfinals they would receive $45,000(US$22, 500)
The players on the Zoom call claim FRU has breached the contract and has failed to deliver what was mutually agreed on.
Meanwhile, FRU Interim Chair Peter Mazey says they have yet to receive the sum from World Rugby and that he will need to check.
“We did not get £600,000, no! I think we need to ask World Rugby about that because we have not seen it. I will have to check up on that. I need to make the checks straight away.”
Mazey said that he understands there was supposed to be a payment but will need to follow up with World Rugby on this.