Editorial: Flying Fijians review should lead to tough decisions
Learn from Tabua’s stand of putting Fiji Rugby ahead of anything else
Monday 27 July 2026 | 11:00
The Flying Fijians suffered disappointing defeats to Wales (39-24) in Cardiff, England (73-7) in Liverpool and Scotland (33-17) in Edinburgh.
Photo: Fiji Rugby Union
The Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) board of directors must act swiftly on the recommendations from the review into the Flying Fijians' performance during the recent Nations Championship in the United Kingdom.
The Flying Fijians suffered disappointing defeats to Wales (39-24) in Cardiff, England (73-7) in Liverpool and Scotland (33-17) in Edinburgh.
The tour was further overshadowed by reports that players requested an increase in their daily allowance from $500 to $1000 before delivering results on the field.
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FRU board chairman John Sanday told this newspaper a review would begin once the tour report was received. He also said the board was considering whether the review should be conducted independently.
That is a positive first step. Once the findings and recommendations are presented, the board must act decisively.
No player or official should be exempt from scrutiny because no one is bigger than the game.
Former Flying Fijians head coach Ilivasi Tabua set a strong example in 2007 when he omitted star winger Rupeni Caucaunibuca from Fiji's Rugby World Cup squad.
At the time, Caucaunibuca was regarded as one of the world's best wingers. However, his absence from his French club had become a major issue.
Despite intense pressure from the media and the rugby community to recall him, Tabua stood by his decision.
Instead, he selected Navosa winger Isoa Neivua, alongside Vilimoni Delasau and Sireli Bobo as injury cover.
The decision paid off. Fiji defeated Wales 38-34 to qualify from the pool on merit and produced one of the country's greatest Rugby World Cup campaigns. The Flying Fijians also pushed eventual champions South Africa before the Springboks pulled away late in the quarter-final.
The FRU board should take a similar approach today. Difficult decisions may not always be popular, but they are sometimes necessary for the long-term success of Fiji rugby.
The future of the game must take precedence over individual interests, including financial demands that are not matched by performances on the field.
