Poor Fijians begging for cash

The Fiji Rugby Union said Friday that the national team's northern hemisphere tour would go ahead in November, despite its failure to find a sponsor leaving a US$550,000 funding shortfall.

FRU Chief Executive Manasa Baravilala said sponsorship for the November tour, which includes matches against England, Georgia, Ireland A and English club side Gloucester, was proving difficult to secure.

He said the FRU faced a shortfall of FJ$1.0 million (US$550,000) and was considering asking the Fijian government to contribute to its costs.

"We are leaving all options open for now and if the need arises we will ask for assistance from the state," he told AFP.

"We do get funding from the International Rugby Board but that is purely for the High Performance Unit."

Baravilala said the tour would go ahead regardless of sponsorship.

"I would like to unequivocally state that the tour will proceed, with or without a sponsor," he said.

The Flying Fijians are ranked 14th in the world.

AFP