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Fiji Time: 6:29 AM on Thursday 20 June

/ Front page / Sport

FRU open to ideas

Rashneel Kumar And Maciu Malo
Friday, August 31, 2012

FIJI Rugby Union (FRU) is ready to listen to the ideas from its affiliated unions on the deductions from gate takings following the call for a fair sharing by the Nadroga Rugby Union (NRU).

FRU operations manager Vilikesa Rinavuaka said they were "open to suggestions" from the concerned parties.

Fiji Sports Council, which gets 25 per cent share from the ticket sales at their venues while the remaining goes to FRU, said it would not compromise with the rates.

Rinavuaka in an email correspondence to Times Sport said after receiving $63,732.21 from the Digicel Cup final last Saturday following the deductions, 40 per cent went to the each union (Nadroga and Naitasiri).

He said FRU pocketed the remaining 20 per cent.

This means Nadroga and Naitasiri received $25,492.88 each while FRU received $12,746.44.

"The money is invested back into the FRU's operations," Rinavuaka said.

FSC chief executive officer Litiana Loabuka said they were only the custodians of the government property and the rate was standard for any event.

NRU spokesperson Tiko Matawalu said they would tap into other avenues to allow them to rake in more to meet their expenses.

Meanwhile, the Stallions will host Tailevu in the first Farebrother-Sullivan challenge at Prince Charles Park in Nadi this Saturday.

"We are concerned with our players' welfare because we hardly save any money for our players in Lawaqa," Matawalu said.

"Despite of our proposals to the Fiji Sports Council to reduce the hire of facilities proved futile, that left us with no other option but to shift the game venue to Nadi.

"Our players welfare is paramount to us and we want to give them the best reward for their families."

Matawalu said the changes of the venue would not deter the side's aim of successfully defending the trophy.

And he has called on the people of Nadroga to come out in huge numbers to support their rugby heroes in action.

"Playing at another venue will not affect our performance as long there are scoring lines and rugby posts," he said. "The boys know the importance of this game and we will give our best shot for our fans.

"We are calling on the vanua of Nakuruvarua to come out in numbers and cheer the boys."

The game kicks off at 3pm.