The Albany Gazette - Fiji captain shrugs off chairman's criticism ahead of England clash

The Pacific islanders' Nations Championship clash with England at the Liverpool home of Premier League football club Everton on Saturday is set to deliver a valuable boost for a cash-strapped Fiji, who are playing all their July 'home' fixtures in Britain for financial reasons

They launched the first phase of the Nations Championship with a 39-24 defeat by Wales in Cardiff, resulting in some sharp criticism from Fiji Rugby Union chairman John Sanday.

"The players have been well-looked after and paid well, where is the return on investment?," said Sanday.

"This is the urgent question. I personally don't accept sub-par performance.

"Those that are very well paid, from the management to the players, need to look at themselves in the mirror and be honest."

Fiji are looking to repeat their 2023 upset win over England -- their only victory in 10 Tests against the Red Rose brigade, with hooker Ikanivere admitting to mixed emotions regarding Sanday's comments.

"It's a bit disappointing coming from the chairman of our own board," he told Britain's Press Association.

"Why he would say those types of things? But that's his point of view.

"That's his problem, he can deal with it. Whatever he thinks. He's the chairman. I think he's got a good head on his shoulders.

"If it was a way to motivate us, then it's OK. I don't care about it. My job is to play rugby and his job is to get returns. Two different things.

"He's running a business and I'm playing for my nation and we're all working towards the same goal.

"I don't mind what anybody says. What I care about is the welfare of my boys and my men. That's all I'm worried about.

"We just want to do our best. That's all we can do and that's all we're going to give. Wales outplayed us last week and that’s all the motivation we need."

(A.Thompson--TAG)