Flying Fijians Captain on Radar for RWC on Camera Vulgar Remark
With head coach Simon Raiwalui making his way out of the room, Nayacalevu blurted out “Ia ni qai v#$* toka”.
Tuesday 10 October 2023 | 06:03
Portugal’s outside centre Pedro Bettencourt tries to tackle Fiji’s outside centre and captain Waisea Nayacalevu during the France 2023 Rugby World Cup Pool C match between Fiji and Portugal at the Stade de Toulouse in Toulouse, southwestern France on October 8, 2023. Photo: Valentine CHRAPUIS / AFP)
Trouble looms for Flying Fijians captain, Waisea Nayacalevu, for swearing in iTaukei at the end of a post-match conference in Toulouse, France, yesterday.
With head coach Simon Raiwalui making his way out of the room, Nayacalevu blurted out “Ia ni qai v#$* toka”.
The whole incident was caught on video and has gone viral on social media.
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Nayacalevu told a friend on Instagram chat that it was a joke directed at two Fijian journalists who were there.
Nayacalevu indicated that he was not aware that the microphone was still on.
He said the journalists were his tauvus (traditional rivals) - one from Lau and the other from Kadavu.
Checks indicated that the three Fijian jounalists at the Stade de Toulouse in Toulouse are from Nadroga, Namosi and Kadavu.
Before the video footage was sent to the FRU, its interim Trustees chairman Peter Mazey said the matter was not news and the last thing our players needed, especially as they get ready for the quarterfinal against England.
There was no further comments from Rugby House after the footage was sent.
Feedback: leonec@fijisun.com.fj
