Contracting players the way forward for Fijian Rugby

We salute the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) for contracting 40 players from all the eight major unions playing in this year’s Skipper Cup competition.

This is the first time we’ve seen the decision makers at Rugby House take a bold step forward in embracing professionalism.

Never in the 106-year history of Fijian Rugby, has such a move taken place.

This is a big boost, not only for our local basedplayers, but for team officials like coaches and administrators as well.

FRU chief executive officer John O’Connor said over the years rugby had grown and there were many changes in a bid to improve and set bench marks.

Mr O’Connor said despite playing the sport for over 106 years, the rest of the world had improved and moved towards professionalism while our local competition still lags behind.

Now it’s time to change all of that.

Apart from the players, Mr O’Connor says, they are also working on getting the coaches of the respective unions under contract.

This also includes strengthening and conditioning coaches and medics as well.

He confirmed that they have been having talks with the unions on the procedures and processes of the payments.

There is no turning back from here.

The onus is now on our players, coaches and administrators to change their mindset, embrace the changes and to lift their game.

This is the way forward for Fiji Rugby.