The Fijian Rugby Union (FRU) has announced plans to investigate the controversial incident involving the Fijian Drua rugby team, where players were forced to travel in the back of a cargo truck while en route to their Super Rugby Pacific clash against the Hurricanes in Auckland three weeks ago. The incident, which has stirred public outcry, has prompted an inquiry by both the FRU and the competition’s governing body, Super Rugby Pacific.

According to FRU Board Chairman John Sanday, the treatment of the Drua players was “unacceptable.” Speaking to RNZ Pacific, Sanday made it clear that the FRU would conduct its own investigation to understand the reasons behind the incident and ensure that something like this does not happen again in the future.

“These are professionals and they are our boys. We want them treated with the level of royalty that they rightly deserve,” Sanday said, emphasizing the need for respect for the players. He noted that as FRU players, the treatment they received was not acceptable at any level, especially in an international rugby competition.

The incident occurred when the Drua players had to travel in the back of a cargo truck from Auckland airport to their hotel before their match against the Hurricanes. After spending a night in Auckland, the players were forced to wait for hours in parks before their hotel accommodations were ready. This is not the kind of treatment expected for professional athletes, particularly those competing at the highest level in Super Rugby Pacific.

In response to the incident, the Pacific Rugby Players Association (PRPA), led by CEO Hale T Pole, also voiced their concerns, condemning the treatment of the Fijian Drua leadership and players in general. Pole, who has been actively advocating for the rights of Pacific Island players, stated that the incident is part of a broader issue concerning the Drua’s treatment within the Super Rugby competition. He particularly called out the referees for perceived bias against Drua captains Tevita Ikanivere and Frank Lomani.

According to Pole, both Ikanivere and Lomani have faced instances where their on-field complaints were either ignored or dismissed by referees. He stated that this unequal treatment has been ongoing throughout the season and is indicative of a lack of respect for the Drua leadership.

“It reflects how the referees have been treating Drua captain Tevita – he isn’t receiving the same level of respect as other captains,” Pole said. He further emphasized that both Super Rugby and the hosting teams need to ensure that the Drua receive fair treatment and respect on and off the field.

The criticisms from the PRPA reflect growing concerns within the Pacific rugby community about the treatment of Pacific Island teams in top-tier rugby competitions. The Fijian Drua, who have only been part of Super Rugby Pacific since 2022, have been working to establish themselves in the competition, but issues like this highlight the challenges they face in terms of equal treatment and respect.

The FRU’s inquiry into the cargo truck incident, alongside the ongoing concerns regarding referee bias, points to a larger issue of equity within the Super Rugby competition. As the FRU and PRPA call for answers and action, it remains to be seen how Super Rugby Pacific will respond to these concerns and what steps will be taken to ensure that the Drua, and other Pacific Island teams, are treated with the dignity they deserve in future.

This incident serves as a reminder of the challenges that Pacific Island teams face in elite rugby and the ongoing need for fair treatment, respect, and support for these athletes who represent their nations on the world stage.