FRU board divided over CEO appointment

The Fiji Rugby Union board did not have a unanimous decision on the successful candidate, who was going to be announced as the new chief executive officer.  

The appointment was scheduled at 12pm yesterday at Rugby House, but was postponed 10 minutes before the press conference, however, acting CEO Koli Sewabu gave interviews on other matters. 

This was after board members had differences over Sewabu’s appointment to take on the lead role. 

Sewabu was the top scorer of the four shortlisted whose recruitment process was handled independently by renowned HR (Human Resources) firm Maxumise Limited.

Also shortlisted was marketing guru Joseph Rodan (senior); he confirmed yesterday to SUNsports that he was interviewed. The other two were overseas applicants. 

“I don’t know who they have selected,” Rodan said. 

The Tailevu Rugby Union president said he is up for the job if offered to him. 

“I have proven myself in the business, in the sporting field. I run it, I live it, I turn it around successfully. I have a proven record in business and in sports. But I guess it’s up to them, who they want for the position,” he said.

“I feel I have a lot to offer, especially now with Fiji rugby being a Tier 1 nation. It’s going to be run like a business, a commercial business. It’s no more a charitable trust, it is a commercial business.” 

Rodan said the top job at 35 Gordon Street would not be a problem to him. He added he has held several roles including president of FASANOC (Fiji Association of Sport & National Olympic Committee), Athletics Fiji and leading the Team Fiji to the 2016 Olympics where they won their first gold. 

“As far as I’m concerned, I have the qualification and the calibre and the requirement to do the job. And I can offer a lot to FRU if given the position.”

Asked if he was aware that some board members swayed the decision in his favour, Rodan said: “I really can’t comment on that. If they have it on my favour, then I’m happy for that. But at the end of the day, you know, it’s the people that’s there that make the decisions.”

When contacted, FRU board chairman John Sanday said they will make the announcement soon. 

“The board has to sit and approve the nominee,” he said yesterday. 

Sewabu acted in the role following Rovereto Nayacalevu’s resignation in May after one-year in office.

Meanwhile, Sanday had told SUNsports on Tuesday that once the selection was done, the appointee would need to sign a 100-day initial management plan where they to get to work with the organisational restructure through the holidays to be in a position to attack the 2026 financial year with a bang.