Fiji Sevens facing dark times

Dark times: Fiji are facing a tough few weeks

Fiji's Sevens coach Josateki Savou has accused an unnamed player of match-fixing at the Hong Kong Sevens.

Fiji crashed out of the tournament on the back of a record 34-0 defeat against fierce rivals New Zealand. The countries worst ever Sevens defeat has left serious questions hanging over the running of the squad, as well as the use of overseas-based players.

However the latest accusation, made on Fiji Village website, leaves the national Sevens squad under a dark cloud.

Savou has claimed that a senior player influenced the rest of the squad for personal gain, although the players name or means of sabotage have yet to be revealed.

Such is the unrest over the recent form of the Sevens team that Savou had his house stoned by angry fans, which has resulted in his family being placed under police protection.

The Fijian team are currently in Adelaide, where they will look to bounce back with a tournament win this weekend. Savou claimed several players volunteered information to him with regards to senior players being influenced from outside the squad.

Savou told the website that with the calibre of players he had, there was no way the team should have fared so badly.

The Fiji Rugby Union board members are expected to be briefed on the issue in Adelaide.