Waisea Nayacalevu reveals progress after Sale star criticised Fijian rugby bosses as unprofessional – as team set sights on avenging heartbreaking World Cup loss against Wales

It was less than two months ago that Waisea Nayacalevu sat down with Mail Sport and declared that Fijian rugby needed to “root out the virus” of corruption that was preventing the country’s best players from doing their best on the international stage.

Nayacalevu revealed that Fiji players almost scored a goal before their World Cup quarter-final against England last year due to late payment of wages. The 34-year-old center’s words were courageous. Nayacalevu stuck his head above the ground, appeared on national television in his home country and discussed the problems of Fijian rugby with the Prime Minister.

Nayacalevu was prepared to go where no Fijian player had gone before by criticizing his country’s rugby bosses. His strong leadership has undoubtedly paid off.

‘The results are so good. The boys were paid in time for the summer tests,” Nayacalevu said ahead of the Fiji-Wales match in Cardiff on Sunday.

“Everything is up to date with the finances, probably because of what I did. It’s fair to say there are no distractions now. Hopefully they won’t happen again.

Nayacalevu told Mail Sport two months ago that Fiji was considering striking out at last year’s World Cup

Fiji’s players were paid on time before participating in test matches in Europe

‘I am proud of what I have done. I always talk honestly. These things have happened many times, so I thought to myself, if it was up to me to talk, then I had to do it, regardless of the consequences. “Things had to change for the betterment of the Fiji team. I don’t know if it’s my legacy – I’m just interested in making things better for the future generations of Fijian rugby.

‘The talent in Fiji is enormous. If they are taken care of and managed well, we can reach the level where the big teams are. That’s the goal for us.

“We need support so we can perform and show the real flair of Fijian rugby.”

Fiji has always been able to compete with the best countries in the world in rugby. The free-flowing attacking talent they have is mind-boggling at times. But their off-field structure has fallen short of the standard of the sport’s leading teams for far too long.

Now things that most Test players would take for granted – such as the timely payment of wages – are being sorted out, allowing Fiji to fully concentrate on matters on the field.

However, old habits are hard to overcome. Just a morning of waiting in the lobby of the Cardiff Bay hotel in Fiji led to this interview with Nayacalevu. Fiji still has steps to make in terms of professionalism.

“There is no media officer on this tour,” Nayacalevu said, smiling, his gold tooth glinting in the light. “I have no idea why we don’t have one. You did the right thing in tracking me down!’

Now with Sale in the Gallagher Premiership, Nayacalevu previously called Fiji’s board ‘unprofessional’. But his summit talks with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka have paved the way for a better future. A Fiji side without distractions spells trouble for Wales. Both teams will announce their squads for the match from Sunday to Friday.

Nayacalevu is proud of his position and admits that Fiji still has steps to make in terms of professionalism

The 34-year-old, who plays for Sale, discussed the issues with Fiji’s Prime Minister

Nayacalevu believes that an increase in professionalism will lead to more consistent performance

The Fiji team was defeated 57-17 by Scotland last weekend, but now has reinforcements

“The Prime Minister used to play for Fiji so he understands the players’ point of view. He wanted to support the boys,” Nayacalevu said.

“It is important that people in the Fiji Rugby Union take these things seriously. This isn’t just any level of rugby.

‘This is international rugby. It’s the highest level. Mentally you have to be right, otherwise it can break you. At international level you can’t do anything else.

‘It affects the boys’ preparations. We asked the Fiji Rugby Union: who is responsible? A lot has changed, especially with the payments and allowances to the players. It’s been a big improvement – ​​some guys even told me they got paid two days earlier than intended! I hope it stays like this forever!’

Nayacalevu continued: “Once you take care of the players, the players take care of themselves. That’s how it is. If you keep doing bad things to the players and don’t invest, some will just want to walk away. People know when it’s damned.

‘They’ll have had enough. We are all human. Sometimes things explode and it’s just too much. But everyone is now on the side and focused.

‘In today’s society everything revolves around money. People work hard for it, especially in Fiji. If you play for your life, you have to get paid on time. As players we have families and bills to pay. We are the same as everyone else. If you are a business and you don’t pay your employees, what is the outcome? People are not happy.

“If we can bring more professionalism, it will lead to more consistency.”

The Fiji side who were defeated 57-17 by Scotland in Edinburgh last Saturday have been boosted by the arrival of their star players from England and France.

The likes of Nayacalevu, Josua Tuisova and Semi Radradra will provide a youthful Wales team that has lost its last nine Tests with more than a tough challenge.

Had Radradra not dropped a pass with the clock in red when the two sides last met in the opening round of the 2023 World Cup, Fiji would have won a thrilling match. Finally Radradra knocked and Wales hung on. Fiji’s players have prepared for the rematch with a steak dinner at Cardiff’s renowned restaurant.

Fiji will be boosted by the return of their star players, including Josua Tuisova, pictured

Fiji fell agonizingly short of beating Wales when they met at the World Cup last year

Had Semi Radradra not dropped a pass, Fiji would have won a hard-fought pool match

The team’s liaison officers, provided by the Welsh Rugby Union, introduced Nayacalevu and Co to Welsh cakes. The piping hot sweet treats have gone down a storm.

“Aw man, that last chance we had to win the game,” Nayacalevu said, his voice trailing off as he recalled Fiji’s last defeat to Wales in Bordeaux. ‘It was heartbreaking.

‘We know Wales will come with a good side this weekend. It was a bit of a chaotic week with players coming over from Europe, but that’s what we like!

‘Everyone is happy to be here. The last time we all saw each other was in the US in the summer when we played New Zealand. Afterwards, most Fiji players returned home. It’s quite humbling to be back together as a full team.

‘Unfortunately the result wasn’t good in Scotland last week, so we’ve been working hard and looking forward to a big challenge on Sunday. I have played against Wales many times.

“We want to keep the same Fijian vision. We want to make entertaining rugby and play it the way we play at home on the islands: open and free.’