As the Fiji Rugby Union board gets ready to meet to decide on the future of Fiji rugby, there are indications that there will be changes in the coaching structure amongst other things after our disappointing performance in the World Cup.
Former Wallaby and Fiji’s coach in the 2007 World Cup, Ilivasi Tabua led Fiji to the quarter finals where we even gave the South Africans a fright.
Fijivillage asked Tabua if he is willing to assist Fiji rugby if he is given the chance.
Ilivasi Tabua is currently awaiting the determination of the quantum of the remedies after the Employment Tribunal ruled in his favour earlier this year.
Tabua had taken the matter to the tribunal after saying that he was unjustly and unfairly dismissed from his employment with the Fiji Rugby Union in 2009 and that the termination was in breach of his employment contract.
The Chief Tribunal has ruled that the tribunal in analyzing the evidence and arguments has determined that Tabua has a grievance in that he was unlawfully, unjustifiably and unfairly terminated.
It has also ordered that Tabua be reimbursed a part of the wages lost as a result of the grievance and be compensated for humiliation, loss of dignity and injury to his feelings.
In the tribunal ruling, it said after going through the evidence, the tribunal sees the handling of Tabua’s termination by the FRU as the manifestation of the relationship between the then FRU Chairman, Viliame Gavoka, the then Acting CEO, Keni Dakuidreketi and the then board.
The tribunal said Gavoka was the boss, Dakuidreketi ran the show and the board ratified the decision.
It also said that Dakuidreketi conducted the investigation in relation to Tabua and reported back to the board after which he was given the option to either resign or be sacked as the Head Coach of Fiji rugby.
The Employment Tribunal said it finds that the FRU had not established the particulars of the breach of contract or misconduct and had not put them to Tabua for him to respond.
It said what the FRU relied on were records of interviews bordering on hearsay evidence.
It further stated that for the FRU to treat one of its employees in the way it did to Tabua, like the way it confronted him with allegations and not listening or considering his explanations, is unethical.
Tabua is now awaiting the final decision on his level of compensation on the 3rd of next month.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
Will Tabua come back?
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