The Fiji Rugby Union has clarified this afternoon that bonus payments are still being made to the Vodafone Fiji 7s team if they win an international tournament.
FRU Chief Executive Officer, Radrodro Tabualevu had earlier said that bonus was not being paid just for winning tournaments and he wanted other issues off the field to be taken into account and other factors like core of the players are now contracted with the FRU.
When questioned on why the 7s bonus which is an incentive to win tournaments is being changed as the players have an expectation based on what they have been told, Tabualevu now says that paying the bonus is a non-negotiable.
We have received confirmation that the players are yet to get their bonus payment for winning the Las Vegas 7s on the 15th of last month.
When questioned on why the bonus for the Las Vegas 7s win is yet to be paid, Tabualevu said that the payment is in the pipeline.
According to the Fiji Rugby Union’s sponsorship deal, a bonus payment of $20,000 was to be given to the national 7s team if they win a tournament.
Coach, Ben Ryan is hoping the issue on bonus payments is clarified and resolved as there is an expectation from the players that they will receive bonuses for winning tournaments.
Fiji is pooled with Samoa, Belgium and Canada in the Hong Kong 7s which kicks off this Friday.
They will face Samoa in their first game at 12.44am this Saturday.
Fiji will take on Belgium at 5.46pm Saturday and then take on Canada at 9.48pm Saturday in their final pool match.
The HK 7s Cup quarter finals will start at 2.58pm Sunday, the semis will start at 7.46pm Sunday while the Cup final will kick off at 11pm Sunday.
