Hall of Fame for snubbed coach

FIJI – Despite not being up for coach of the year at the inaugural Fiji Rugby Awards, former Olympic Gold medal winning coach Ben Ryan has been inducted into the Hall of Fame. The award nominations sparked controversy when Ryan was left off the list of finalists for coach of the year in favour of three local club coaches. The apparent snub came a month after Ryan had tangled with the Fiji Rugby Union over player payments. However the FRU said Ryan had simply not been nominated by any local club affiliates. The Fiji Rugby Union had earlier this month hit back at the former coach saying in a statement it was disappointed at Ryan’s constant remarks about the Fiji Sevens team and his ongoing tweets about their performances at recent sevens events. CEO John O’connor said it seemed difficult for Ryan to move on.

The statement said the FRU has appointed a new coach, who will lead the men’s sevens team moving forward and everyone needs to give Gareth Baber a chance – including Ben Ryan.

Baber was appointed in October but only just arrived in Fiji to begin his duties.

The union said Fiji was no longer Ben Ryan’s team and he must understand this and must allow the new coach to deal with the issues in relation to his team.

After seeing the FRU statement Ryan again tweeted, calling it ridiculously childish.

Fiji, the defending world series champions, have finished second and fifth in the first two tournaments of this season’s series.

At Saturday’s event Fiji’s Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama paid tribute to Ryan and the Englishman was inducted into the Hall of Fame alongside Apakuki Tuitavua, Ratu Sir George Cakobau, Barry Sweetman and Pio Bosco Tikoisuva.

Former sevens maestro Waisale Serevi was also given a lifetime achievement award.

- RNZI/PNC