The women’s team’s hotel reservation was made late, while the men’s squad was confirmed.
The Fiji Rugby Union has publicly apologized to the Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s team’s management for their four-hour stay outside of Sydney Airport when they were traveling from Fiji to Dubai, Peter Mazey, the interim chair of the Fiji Rugby Football Union Trust Board, states that the players’ and staff’s welfare, safety, and well-being are of utmost importance and are taken seriously, according to him, they failed the Fijiana 7s team.
Mazey also attested to the veracity of the pictures of the females dozing off on the benches that had gone viral, he claims that although the men’s team had reserved their lodging in advance, none of the surrounding hotels had any rooms available when Fijiana 7s coach Saiasi Fuli sought to book them when he arrived in Sydney. he goes on to say that since it was known in advance, the rooms ought to have been reserved in advance, just like the men’s team.
The World Rugby HSBC Tournament team arranges all travel and layover lodging, as is customary, according to the chair. It appears that they were unaware that Sydney Airport closes at 11 p.m., which is why they did not make hotel reservations in Sydney. according to him, they assumed it was just a typical layover and that the crew could relax inside the airport in between planes.
According to Mazey, Emirates Airlines, the Dubai 7s’ sponsors, upgraded the Fijiana 7s team and personnel to Business Class, ensuring that both teams could get some well-earned relaxation and sleep throughout the 15-hour flight from Sydney to Dubai.
He continues, saying that before the team managers left for every event, the FRU General Manager of High-Performance and the Women’s High-Performance had begun meeting with them.
He goes on to say that by doing this, the team will be sure to cover everything and that managers are now collaborating and talking to each other to prevent duplication of effort and to guarantee that everyone is helping one another.
Mazey further gave everyone the assurance that this scenario won’t occur once again.