Embarrassed Fijians rage as Waisale Serevi’s Russian players fall victim to theft at Nadi airport
- Fiji Rugby Union apologises to their sevens great and the Russians, who say their memories of the country remain untarnished
Contrite and embarrassed Fijians have taken to social media to apologise to their sevens legend Waisale Serevi and his Russia team after reports emerged on Thursday that the team’s belongings were stolen at Nadi International Airport.
Serevi, appointed Russian sevens coach five months ago, took his team to the Fijian Marist Sevens tournament last month and his daughter, Asinate, later revealed on social media that the players had items stolen, including “clothes, cleats, runners and speakers”.
“This is just embarrassing, heartless, arrogant, inconsiderate, selfish and inexcusable,” wrote one Twitter user. “WHY? … To @Waisale_Serevi and @russiarugby, this may not change anything but on behalf of #TeamFiji we are sorry!”
Another wrote: “So much disrespect for @Waisale_Serevi from the Airport staff! … After all he’s done for his beloved country, these gang decide to repay him with a shameful and despicable act.”
Media reports said Fijian police were investigating the incident.
So much disrespect for @Waisale_Serevi from the Airport staff! It shows with the big chor! After all he's done for his beloved country,these gang decide to repay him with a shameful and despicable act.— Carlin Bilbu Naikaso (@CNaikaso) April 3, 2019
Serevi, probably the best sevens player of all time, took his team to play in the Marist Sevens as preparation for the HSBC World Series qualifying tournament at this weekend’s Hong Kong Sevens.
They performed admirably by reaching the last eight but left on a sour note when their belongings were stolen.
However, there appear to be no hard feelings with the Fiji Rugby Union apologising, and their Russian counterparts and Serevi himself responding positively.
Addressing Serevi, the FRU said: “Bula Sir, we’re not 100% sure what happened when your team left Fiji, but if things are true, please pass on our humblest apologies [to Russia] as we would never want to damage a friendship with our rugby brothers. All the best in HK maestro!”
Serevi responded as he usually does on Twitter with the Biblical reference to Phil4:13 and adding: “We really appreciate it. All the best this week [in Hong Kong to the Fiji team].”
The Russia Rugby Union said the players’ memories of Fiji were not tainted by the incident.
“Dear @fijirugby and all who have reached out to us, thank you,” it said. “We want you to know this is not the memory we will take from your country or your people. You welcomed us and treated us like Family from the start & because of you, we leave with more than we arrived. Vinaka Fiji.”
Earlier, Asinate had written: ““Fiji is known for the most friendliest people in the world but it takes ‘holes like you to make everyone look bad.
“Dad has done so much for Fiji and yet some of y’all still look down on him and disrespect him for no reason – but this is on some different level.
“Russia, like the Fiji boys, have always been family to us so stealing clothes, cleats, runners and speakers from these Russian boys who have worked so hard to prepare fore the qualifiers in Hong Kong … you’re high if you think you won’t get caught.”
