DEVASTATING SHAKE-UP: Fiji Rugby Plunges Into Chaos After Mass Resignations and Leadership Crisis
In a stunning and deeply troubling turn of events, Fiji Rugby has been thrust into a full-blown crisis after a wave of senior resignations, internal turmoil, and accusations of mismanagement at the highest levels of the organization.
The chaos erupted late Monday night when Head Coach Simon Raiwalui submitted his resignation with immediate effect, citing “irreconcilable differences” with the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) board and a “lack of vision and support” for the national team’s future. His departure triggered a chain reaction: within 24 hours, four assistant coaches, two senior executives, and a host of key support staff followed suit.
The fallout comes just months after Fiji’s electrifying 2023 World Cup campaign, where they captured global admiration with their fearless play and emotional victory over Australia. That momentum, however, now lies in ruins.
“This is not just a coaching issue — this is a collapse of leadership,” said a former FRU insider, speaking on condition of anonymity. “There’s no structure. No direction. The players are being left to pick up the pieces while the union is at war with itself.”
The most explosive allegations stem from leaked internal documents obtained by local media, alleging financial mismanagement, power struggles within the FRU board, and broken promises to players regarding salaries and welfare. Players reportedly considered boycotting training sessions last week in protest.
Rugby fans across the Pacific have expressed heartbreak and outrage. Social media has exploded with hashtags like #SaveFijiRugby and #WhereIsTheFRU, as calls grow louder for an independent investigation and sweeping reforms.
World Rugby has not yet commented, but sources suggest they are closely monitoring the situation. A spokesperson for the Fiji Sports Commission said, “What’s happening is unacceptable. The people of Fiji deserve transparency, stability, and respect for the legacy of this team.”
For a nation where rugby is more than just a sport — it’s part of the soul — this meltdown is not only shocking, it’s deeply painful. The dream of building on recent successes now hangs in the balance, as fans and players alike are left to wonder: who will lead Fiji Rugby out of the darkness?
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