Contradicting reports are coming out of the Flying Fijians camp about player dissatisfaction as the team prepares to face Scotland in Murrayfield in their final Nations Championship match.
The Fijians, who are one of two invitational sides in the new 12-team competition, have found the going tough after losing against Wales (39-24) and England (73-8) in the first two rounds of the chanpionship.
Reports of player discontent started to emerge on social media this week, with claims they have been not been treated well by the new head coach Senirusi Seruvakula. However, the team management have stated they are working with players in keeping the unity.
Players, who have asked to remain anonymous, claim that “the team environment is very unprofessional” and they have concerns about planning.
“We are being treated like little kids and head coach is using bad language and speaking in a way that is unprofessional and unacceptable at this level. It is frustrating coming from professional environment in the top 14 to this,” according to the players.
RNZ Pacific was told the team arrived late to for their pre-match preparation against England and players only had time to get changed and run out for team warm up.
Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) board chairman John Sanday told RNZ Pacific after the Wales test that players had demanded more payments, which the union could not afford.
He said at the time that player allowances were increased.
Some senior players are concerned the team’s systems set up through the past years are being overlooked.
These in-camp issues, if true, could have affected the Flying Fijians’ performance against England, in which they were thrashed by 11 tries to one. It was Fiji’s biggest loss ever to the English side.
England’s Henry Pollock runs with the ball during the Rugby Union Nations Championship match between Fiji and England at Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool. 11 July 2026.
AFP / Oli Scarff
But in a message sent via the FRU media team on Tuesday, Seruvakula, speaking in the iTaukei (indigenous) language, said things are okay within camp and the players are working in unity with the management.
He said stories being spread through social media are not true.
Seruvakula added the team had only been in camp together for a week before they played Wales and then England in their second week together.
“We, the coaches and the players, agree that the game against England was not an easy one and we did not play well last week,” he said.
“But we have moved on and are focused on meeting Scotland. Management works closely with the players, with one voice being listened.
“Yes, there are a lot of noise from outside but that will not interfere with the unity and working relationship we have built within the team.
“The coaches know what we must work on with the team.”
He said their priority has been working on team bonding and unity, especially with players coming from different systems around the globe.
Being united and working together has been reenforced after the loss to England.
Speaking to the media on Thursday, Seruvakula said they are not making any excuses for the two losses and will continue to put their best, especially with Scotland being their third game.
“It is not easy because these teams have had time to be together longer while we have not had enough preparation time.
“But it is not an excuse and we just have to adapt to the situations and do our best.”
Questions have also been sent to the Fiji Rugby Players Association chairman Ilivasi Tabua. The association was set up last year to be the voice for the players.
Mixed news
Meanwhile, there were also mixed news in camp, with halfback Simione Kuruvoli now missing the game this weekend following his red carding against England last weekend.
The World Rugby Disciplinary Committee have handed him a four match suspension, which includes three club matches for his new French club, Vannes.
But on the brighter side former French international Virimi Vakatawa has been named in the starting lineup to meet Scotland on Sunday morning.
Vakatawa was named at outside centre.
His inclusion marks a thrilling revival to his international rugby career, having previously earned 32 caps for France.
He was called up two weeks ago to replace injured Vinaya Habosi.
Seruvakula has made changes to his starting forward pack, with experienced Peceli Yato and Levani Botia both out of the match-day 23.
The two were under performers in the match against England.
Young Isikeli Rabitu will make his debut off the bench.
Scotland have also named a strong match-day 23 for the clash, with 14 changes to the side that lost to the South Africa last week.
Tongan heritage player and captain Sione Tuipulotu is on the bench, making way for stand-in captain Stafford McDowall to run in at 12.
Fiji will host Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday morning, at 1.10am NZT.
Flying Fijians: 1. Eroni Mawi, 2. Tevita Ikanavere (captain), 3. Mesake Doge, 4. Isoa Nasilasila, 5. Temo Mayanavanua, 6. Pita Gus Sowakula, 7. Lekima Tagitagivalu, 8. Elia Canakaivata, 9. Frank Lomani, 10. Caleb Muntz, 11Jiuta Wainiqolo, 12. Josua Tuisova, 13. Virimi Vakatawa, 14. Salestino Ravutaumada, 15. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula
Bench: 16. Sam Matavesi, 17. Livai Natave, 18. Peni Ravai, 19. Mesake Vocevoce, 20. Kitione Salawa, 21. Sam Wye, 22. Isikeli Rabitu, 23. Salesi Rayasi
Scotland: 1. Rory Sutherland, 2. Gregor Hiddleston, 3. D’arcy Rae, 4. Jonny Gray, 5. Max Williamson, 6. Josh Bayliss, 7. Freddy Douglas, 8. Gregor Brown, 9. George Horne, 10. Fergus Burke, 11. Duhan van der Merwe, 12. Stafford McDowall (captain), 13. Ollie Smith, 14. Darcy Graham, 15. Tom Jordan
Bench: 16. Seb Stephen, 17. Pierre Schoeman, 18. Zander Fagerson, 19. Scott Cummings, 20. Magnus Bradbury, 21. Liam McConnell, 22. Jamie Dobie, 23. Sione Tuipulotu
