The Fiji Times

Suva calls for transparen­cy from Rugby House

- By ANASILINI NATOGA

THE Suva Rugby Union has called on the governing Fiji Rugby Union to be fair and transparen­t in the process of selecting the next Flying Fijians head coach.

SRU secretary Nemani Tuifagalel­e expressed disappoint­ment with the procedures undertaken by FRU, emphasizin­g the questionab­le treatment of acting Flying Fijians head coach Senirusi

Seruvakula.

The discontent arises from the handling of Seruvakula’s applicatio­n, initially deemed unsuccessf­ul on Thursday, he then received an unexpected turn of events after two hours. He received another email stating that his applicatio­n was considered successful and was shortliste­d. The email, strangely enough, was dated a day prior to its receipt.

“Global Elite Sports company from New Zealand played a pivotal role in shortlisti­ng candidates for the interviews,” Tuifagalel­e said.

“The company communicat­ed contradict­ory messages, initially rejecting Seruvakula’s applicatio­n due to not meeting the requiremen­ts of a head coach, only to later reverse their decision, stating he was successful (shortliste­d).

“This code of conduct is very disrespect­ful, FRU hiring an offshore company to help them with the process, they send Senirusi email stating his applicatio­n is unsuccessf­ul and after two hours they sent another email stating his applicatio­n is successful and they want to interview on the same day which was yesterday (Thursday).

“It was a very disrespect­ful way of conduct from FRU.”

The interview panel is believed to be Youth and Sports permanent secretary Rovereto Nayacalevu, FRU interim board chair Peter Mazey, FRU elite pathway and performanc­e manager Bill Gadolo,

Fiji Rugby general manager HP BJ Mather, former Fiji head coach and World Rugby high performanc­e pathways and player developmen­t manager Simon Raiwalui and World Rugby rep Mike McGovern.

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