Fijiana Drua won the Super W title in 2022,their first season in the competition.Credit:Getty
“FRU is responsible for looking over the general logistics of any team traveling (sic) overseas. These include players allowance,accommodation,meals and any other associated costs,” acting chief executive Sale Sorovaki said.
“We would like to make it clear that all contracted players have been paid up until now.
“I admit that we have had some challenges regarding our financial processes which had a direct effect on the Fijiana Drua. These have been highlighted to us by DFAT through Rugby Australia which monitors this financial assistance,and FRU is trying its utmost to improve on it.
“We are grateful to the Australian Government through the Vuvale Partnership which allows our Fijiana Drua Womens Team to participate in the Super W Competition.
“To the Fijian families that have assisted the Fijiana Drua with meals and other support,FRU is eternally grateful to you for using your own hard-earned resources to help in the time of need towards our ladies and management.
“We may not be able to repay you,however,we are deeply grateful for your kind gesture and support to our fellow Fijians at a time when they needed it the most. We pray that God’s blessings and provisions be upon each family who helped.”
The women lost 45-22 against the Reds on Sunday but have still qualified for the Super W semi-finals and will play competition leaders the Waratahs at Concord Oval on Sunday afternoon.
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Both the men’s and women’s Drua sides have endured a tough start to their Super Rugby chapters. The coronavirus pandemic forced the men’s team,Fiji’s first professional 15-a-side outfit,to relocate at short notice to Lennox Heads in November 2021 in the lead up to their Super Rugby debut. They based themselves there,sacrificing any home games,until the floods that devastated the northern rivers region forced them to move north to the Gold Coast halfway through the season.
At home,finally,this season,the Drua achieved a historic win against the Crusaders in Lautoka and have fought hard to overcome language and cultural barriers as a team of Fijian-raised and -based players.
The Fijiana Drua are wholly operated by the FRU,an organisation hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. In a report on the Fiji Village website,the governing body posted a$1.1 million reversal in its financial position from 2021,fuelled by an exodus of sponsorship revenue. Fiji Airways was its major partner,an airline grounded during the pandemic.
The financial losses have pushed FRU member Suva Rugby Union to file a motion of no confidence against four of the FRU’s five directors ahead of Saturday’s annual general meeting.