Fiji Rugby’s Ongoing Disrespect for Women’s Rugby: From Neglect to Discrimination

Women’s rugby in Fiji is once again in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. In recent months, players have been left stranded outside airports, forced to fight for basic resources, and now, shockingly, subjected to outright discrimination from the very leadership meant to support them.

From Sleeping on Airport Floors to Fighting for Inclusion

The Fijiana 7s team, celebrated worldwide for their electrifying style of play, made headlines in November after they were forced to sleep outside Sydney Airport while en route to the Dubai 7s. The Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) admitted to a massive planning failure, blaming miscommunication between tournament organizers and travel coordinators. Yet, the incident was not acknowledged until public outcry and photos surfaced online—further proof that accountability only seems to come after public embarrassment.

At the time, many were quick to defend Fiji Rugby as having made a simple mistake. But the continued disregard for women’s rugby in Fiji suggests a pattern—not an accident.

A New Director, A Step Backward

UPDATE 2/5: Naulivou’s appointment terminated by FRU after her comments about LGBT+ players and coaches. [source]

If logistical failures weren’t bad enough, Fiji Rugby has now placed someone in a leadership position who openly condemns LGBTQ+ players.

Laijipa Naulivou, the newly appointed director for Fiji Rugby, has made alarming statements in a recent interview, declaring that she opposes same-sex relationships among Fijian women’s rugby players. Her comments—stating that being gay is a “problem” in women’s rugby—are not just offensive; they’re dangerous.

Singling out LGBTQ+ athletes as detrimental to a team is blatant discrimination. It’s also an outdated stereotype that has long been used to diminish women’s sports, suggesting that personal identity somehow impacts performance. Rugby is a sport built on respect, unity, and diversity. Yet, rather than addressing real issues—such as pay equity, player welfare, and resources—Fiji Rugby has chosen to focus on policing who their athletes love.

The Real Problems Fiji Rugby Should Address

Naulivou’s comments are not just an isolated issue; they reflect a deeper problem within the FRU’s handling of women’s rugby.

  • Financial Instability: The Fijiana team continues to struggle for funding and resources, with reports of inadequate travel accommodations, missing payments, and poor training conditions.
  • Lack of Support: The men’s program consistently receives priority treatment, while the women’s teams are expected to overcome obstacles that would never be tolerated at the men’s level.
  • Misplaced Priorities: Instead of addressing these very real concerns, Fiji Rugby’s leadership is using their platform to push exclusionary and harmful rhetoric.

Time for Change

This is not just a Fiji problem. Around the world, women’s rugby players continue to fight for basic respect, equal resources, and the right to play the sport they love without discrimination.

Fiji Rugby must be held accountable. The world is watching. Will they finally prioritize their athletes and the future of the game, or will they continue to push away talent and tarnish the legacy of Fijian rugby with outdated prejudices?

One thing is clear: Women’s rugby deserves better. And LGBTQ+ athletes deserve a sport that embraces them—not one that turns them away. Will Fiji Rugby do the right thing and reverse this appointment—or will they stand by leadership rooted in exclusion and discrimination?


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