“The notion that being gay is a ‘problem’ in women’s rugby is deeply troubling and perpetuates harmful stereotypes that have no place in modern sports or society,” said Nalini Singh, the group’s executive director, who also referenced local media reports that claimed the women’s team spent a night on benches outside Sydney Airport on their way to the Dubai Sevens tournament in 2023, while the men’s team slept in a nearby hotel.

“Rather than focusing your efforts on the sexuality of the players, you do your job and look for adequate funding and provide for the well-being of the women rugby players so that they don’t have to sleep on benches in front of airports and walk miles to their training,” she added.

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Naulivou is a prominent figure on the Fiji rugby scene, having been the first captain of the women’s national side and a fierce advocate for gender inclusion in the male-dominated sport.

The FRU confirmed she had tried to tender her resignation following widespread backlash to her incendiary comments but decided that a “firm stance was necessary to reinforce its commitment to upholding professional standards and safeguarding the integrity of Fiji Rugby” which led to her dismissal.