Chief slams refs’ lack of ‘respect’ for Fijians as boss demands answers for ‘unacceptable’ treatment in New Zealand
Fiji Rugby have demanded answers for the travel debacle while referees have been accused of treating the Drua captains differently.
Pacific Rugby Players chief has slammed the “lack of respect” from referees for Fijian players while the Fiji Rugby Union chairman has demanded answers for the treatment of the Drua.
Wallabies great Lote Tuqiri hit out at Super Rugby organisers after it emerged that the Fijian Drua had travelled in the back of a cargo truck to Wellington for their clash against the Hurricanes.
Fiji chief demands answers
This, after the team were informed that the bus that was supposed to transport them to the match had not arrived.
Instead of waiting hours for a replacement, they climbed aboard the truck booked to take their luggage and equipment.
“It’s ridiculous,” Tuqiri told AAP. “You’d think the organisers would have it sorted, given how old the competition is. It’s not like a new competition.
“It was probably not meant but, I mean, it’s actually unacceptable.”
Super Rugby Pacific officials have reportedly launched a probe into what unfolded to avoid future embarrassments.
Fijian Rugby Union Board chairman John Sanday has aired his outrage over the “acceptable” treatment of the Drua players.
“I want to see the results of the inquiry by Super Rugby Pacific and get the full facts,” Sanday told RNZ Pacific when asked what the FRU would do.
“We will also conduct our own inquiry to understand the reason why this has occurred to ensure it doesn’t happen again.
“These are professionals and they are our boys, we want them treated with the level of royalty that they rightly deserve.
“As the national union and these players are FRU players, that treatment is not acceptable at any level.”
Drua captains don’t get the same level of respect
His outrage was shared by Pacific Rugby Players Association chief executive officer Hale T Pole.
However, it’s not just the treatment of the Drua squad in terms of the travel arrangements that has annoyed Pole but the “lack of respect” for the players on the pitch too.
He said that the poor treatment of the Fijians has extended to the match officials as he alluded to key moments in the competition where referees have seemingly ignored complaints from team captains Tevita Ikanivere and Frank Lomani.
The Drua fell to three straight defeats in the opening rounds of the competition, all coming by margins of less than seven points.
“Yes, it’s not ideal,” Pole said, referring to the incidents.
“We’ve been in talks all last week and this week with Jack Mesley, Super Rugby Pacific CEO, and Avan Lee, Hurricanes CEO.
“It also reflects how the referees have been treating Drua captain Tevita – he isn’t receiving the same level of respect as other captains.
“Both Super Rugby and the hosting team should do better.”