A number of former Nadroga rugby players were disappointed with the Fiji Rugby Union for the non-attendance of top officials and fellow rugby team mates of the late Rupeni Qaraniqio during his funeral at the chiefly village of Cuvu on Saturday.
Semi Rogoyawa was the lone representative of the parent body from Suva but left Cuvu before the funeral to watch rugby in Lautoka.
Rogoyawa, prior to his departure to Lautoka said FRU CEO Baravilala was sick and most of the officials were busy. "For those who played against the British Lions, they are too old to travel and some are very hard to locate where they reside now," said Rogoyawa.
Ravuama Latilevu, one of the finest wingers the country has ever produced, said he was not happy with the attitude of the FRU.
"Rupeni was a rugby legend , he was one of a handful of players who put Fiji on the rugby world map because of his fearless performance and always played his heart for his beloved country," said the Keiyasi man from Navosa.
"Quran (Qaraniqio) was always an influential player in some memorable wins in Test matches. And this includes the historic win against the British Lions in 1977 but no one from that victorious team attended the funeral."
Latilevu played along side Qaraniqio in the seventies and also donned the Fiji jumper in Test matches against the All Blacks, Tonga, England, France and Wales. He braved the 60km journey from Keiyasi to bade farewell to his best friend dubbed "the spoiler".