The Fiji Rugby Union needs to get its house in order if the sport is to reach greater heights or else it will be a case of missed opportunities.

That was the gist of outgoing Flying Fijians head coach Simon Raiwalui’s interview with Planet Rugby.

“Fiji needs also to have the administration issues sorted to get our place back and vote in the (World Rugby) council,” he said.

“We have the team, and the players, and now we need to have the conditions to host these big teams, as they will bring a lot of people with them, and if we want to do it right it must be done at a top-level.”

When asked about the Nations League and what the future holds for Fiji, Raiwalui said: “I was part of all the meetings, and as a whole, we all agreed on what it brought from a high-performance side to the table, as we would be having more Test matches.

“I am always advocating for more and better-quality Test matches. The new Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) format will be interesting to see how it goes, but as far as I am concerned, more matches are better.”

Raiwalui emphasised the need for a bigger stadium in Fiji to host more Test matches as the HFC Bank Stadium only holds 15,000 and there is a need to have a 20,000 to 25,000-seater stadiums.

“We might have a couple more stadiums, maybe in the west where the international airport and main hotels are, and it would be the ideal location for a new one.”

Raiwalui said we can’t sit and wait as the opportunity would fade.

“When the opportunity arises, you take it!

“When the Drua and the Super Rugby franchise came to be, some people said ‘We aren’t ready to do it’ and my argument was ‘We waited for 30 years, let’s take it and sort it out afterwards’.. I had to put up a team in one month.

“It was rushed but look at the benefits and the good that has brought to Fiji,” Raiwalui revealed.

We just couldn’t wait for another opportunity.”

Meanwhile, the FRU interim Trustees will be conducting a Talanoa session on Saturday at the Novotel Suva Lami Bay.

The session will be attended by Union representatives, a World Rugby rep and the Minister for Youth and Sports Jese Saukuru.

Feedback: leonec@fijisun.com.fj