The Fiji Rugby Union is expected to release a statement next week regarding the details of the Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s players’ contracts which was highlighted by coach Gareth Baber in Hamilton.
Speaking to Radio New Zealand, Baber admits the issuing of player contracts has been a distraction to the team's preparations for World Sevens Series tournaments over the past two weeks.
Fiji finished sixth in Sydney last weekend, after defeats by the United States and New Zealand on the final day.
They were beaten by New Zealand in the fifth place playoff.
Baber acknowledged it was not an ideal situation but expected everything to be resolved within a week.
Baber thinks it has disrupted the players' preparations. He adds that some players were perhaps thinking about other things that they don't potentially need to think about during the tournament.
He also says that players are still receiving daily allowances as per normal and, once signed, the new contracts will be backdated to January.
The Fiji Rugby Union introduced full‑time sevens contracts in 2014 but have only ever offered one‑year deals to the players.
Baber says 18 to 22 players are able to be contracted by the FRU, which includes a core group of 15‑16 players plus an extended squad.
Fiji will take on Wales in their first game at 11.36am tomorrow, they will then face Spain at 3.02pm before taking on Australia at 6.50pm tomorrow.
The medal quarterfinals will start at 11.36am Sunday, the semifinal will be at 3.49pm while the final will start at 7.03pm Sunday.
Source: www.radionz.co.nz
