It’s been less than two months since Waisea Nayacalevu sat down with Mail Sport and declared Fijian rugby needed to ‘cut off the virus’ of corruption which was holding the country’s top players back from delivering their best on the international stage.
Nayacalevu revealed Fiji’s players came close to striking before their World Cup quarter-final with England last year due to late payment of wages. The 34-year-old centre’s words were brave. Nayacalevu put his head above the parapet, appearing on national television in his homeland and discussing Fijian rugby’s problems with the Prime Minister.
Nayacalevu was prepared to go where no Fijian player had been before by criticising his country’s rugby bosses. His strong leadership has undoubtedly paid off.
‘The results have been so good. The boys were paid on time for the summer Tests,’ Nayacalevu said ahead of Fiji’s clash with Wales in Cardiff on Sunday.
‘Everything is up to date on the finances, probably because of what I did. It’s fair to say there are no distractions now. Hopefully, they are not going to happen again.
Waisea Nayacalevu had criticised Fiji’s rugby bosses and his stance has paid off
Nayacalevu told Mail Sport two months ago Fiji considered striking at last year’s World Cup
Fiji’s players were paid on time ahead of competing in Test matches in Europe
‘I’m proud of what I did. I always talk straight. These things have happened many times, so I thought to myself if it had to be me to talk, then I had to do it, no matter the consequences. ‘Things needed to change for the betterment of the Fiji team. I don’t know if it’s my legacy – I’m just interested in improving things for the future generations of Fiji rugby.
‘The talent in Fiji is massive. If they are being well looked after and well managed, we can get to the level of where the big teams are. That’s the goal for us.
‘We need support, so we can perform and showcase the real flair of Fiji rugby.’
Fiji have always been able to compete with the best nations on the planet in pure rugby terms. The free-flowing, attacking talent they have is, at times, mindboggling. But for too long, their off-field structures haven’t been of the standard of the sport’s leading teams.
Now, things most Test players would take for granted – like the timely payment of wages – are being sorted, allowing Fiji to focus their minds entirely on on-field matters.
Old habits die hard, however. Only a morning spent waiting in the lobby of Fiji’s Cardiff Bay hotel led to this interview with Nayacalevu. Fiji still have strides to make in professionalism.
‘There is no media officer on this tour,’ Nayacalevu said with a smile, his gold tooth glinting in the light. ‘I have no idea why we don’t have one. You’ve done well to track me down!’
Now with Sale in the Gallagher Premiership, Nayacalevu previously referred to the Fiji board as ‘unprofessional’. But his summit talks with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka have paved the way for a brighter future. A Fiji side with no distractions spells trouble for Wales. Both teams will name their teams for Sunday’s game on Friday.
Nayacalevu is proud of his stance and admits Fiji have strides to make in professionalism
The 34-year-old, who plays for Sale, talked though the issues with Fiji’s Prime Minister
Nayacalevu believes an increase in professionalism will lead to more consistent performances
The Fiji squad were hammered 57-17 by Scotland last weekend but now have reinforcements
‘The Prime Minister used to play for Fiji, so he understands the players’ point of view. He wanted to support the boys,’ Nayacalevu said.
‘It’s important the people in the Fiji Rugby Union take these things seriously. This is not just any level of rugby.
‘This is international rugby. It’s the highest level. Mentally, you have to be right because otherwise, it can break you. At international level, you can’t have other things going on.
‘It affects the boys’ preparations. We have asked the Fiji Rugby Union, who is accountable? Things have changed a lot, especially with the payments and allowances to the players. It’s been a big improvement – some of the boys even told me they got paid two days before they were supposed to! I hope that’s going to continue forever!’
Nayacalevu continued: ‘Once you look after the players, the players will look after themselves. That’s how it is. If you keep on doing bad things to the players and not putting in investment, some will just want to walk out. People know when it’s s***.
‘They’ll have had enough. We’re all human. Sometimes, things explode and it’s just too much. But everyone now is onside and focused.
‘In today’s society, everything is about money. People work hard for it, especially in Fiji. If you’re playing for your lives, you need to be paid on time. As players, we have families and bills to pay. We’re the same as everyone else. If you’re a business and you don’t pay your employees, what is the result? People aren’t happy.
‘If we can bring more professionalism, it will lead to more consistency.’
The Fiji squad hammered 57-17 by Scotland in Edinburgh last Saturday has been boosted by the arrival of their star players based in England and France.
Nayacalevu, Josua Tuisova and Semi Radradra, among others, will provide a youthful Wales side which has lost its last nine Tests with a more-than-tough challenge.
Had Radradra not dropped a pass with the clock in the red when the two sides last met in the opening round of the 2023 World Cup, Fiji would have edged what was a thrilling contest. In the end, Radradra knocked on and Wales hung on. Fiji’s players have prepared for the rematch with a steak dinner at renowned Cardiff restaurant.
Fiji will be boosted by the return of their star players, including Josua Tuisova, pictured
Fiji came agonisingly shorty of beating Wales when they met at last year’s World Cup
Had Semi Radradra not dropped a pass, Fiji would have edged a tightly fought Pool match
The team’s liaison officers, provided by the Welsh Rugby Union, have introduced Nayacalevu and Co to Welsh cakes. The piping hot sweet treats have gone down a storm.
‘Ah man, that last opportunity we had to win the game,’ said Nayacalevu, his voice tailing off as he recalled Fiji’s last loss to Wales in Bordeaux. ‘It was heartbreaking.
‘We know this weekend Wales are going to come with a good side. It’s been a bit of a chaotic week with players flying in from Europe, but that’s what we like!
‘Everyone is happy to be here. The last time we all saw each other was in the USA in the summer when we played New Zealand. After that, most of the Fijian-based players went back home. For us to be back together as a full squad is quite humbling.
‘Unfortunately, the result wasn’t good in Scotland last week, so we’ve really worked hard and we’re looking forward to a big challenge Sunday. I’ve played Wales many times.
‘We want to keep the same Fiji vision. We want to produce entertaining rugby and play how we play on the islands at home – open and free.’
