PM for FRU president

Rabuka wants to clarify certain issues

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has accepted Namosi Rugby Union’s nomination to be the president of the Fiji Rugby Union. This will be decided at the Fiji Rugby Union’s Annual General Meeting in Lautoka, next Saturday.

However, Rabuka told SUNsports yesterday that he first needs to clarify certain issues.

“While I accepted Namosi Rugby Union’s nomination, I must declare that I am already a Trustee (under the old registration) but I’m not sure of my status now, as the Trustees have not functioned in any role in recent years,” Rabuka said. Rabuka, a former Flying Fijian prop is likely to succeed former PM Voreqe Bainimarama whose term has now expired.

Last week, Rabuka was instrumental in securing Fiji Water’s $3.8 million support to the Flying Fijians campaign to the Rugby World Cup in September.

The move by the Namosi Rugby Union had been backed by the Macuata Rugby Union.

MRU vice-president Saimoni Cabealawa said they also wanted Rabuka to be the next FRU president. “There are also some names we have supported, which the Namosi Rugby Union will nominate to be the board of directors.”

Rabuka had appointed Suva lawyer Simione Valenitabua as the PM’s nominee to the FRU board.

Last week, the Namosi Rugby Union had indicated their support for the current FRU management and board of directors. It is understood that the Nadroga Rugby Union is also taking the same stand.

Under the current management and board of directors, the FRU for the first time secured a seat at the World Rugby Council. This was due to the restructures, which took place and were compliant to the requirements of the parent body. In addition, the two gold medal wins by the Fiji men’s rugby sevens teams at the 2016 and 2020

Olympic Games. The formation of the Fijian Drua to play and win the 2018 Australia National Rugby Championship (NRC) followed by its inclusion in the Super Rugby Pacific in 2022.

For the women the formation of the Fijiana Drua to win the Super W title last year and then for the first time qualified for the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. The women’s sevens team winning the bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan.