Fijian Drua statement: Vinaya Habosi sacked with immediate effect

New Racing 92 signing Vinaya Habosi won’t play any part in this year’s Super Rugby Pacific tournament as the Fijian Drua have sacked the winger just weeks before the start of the competition.

The Drua are scheduled to get their new season underway with a February 25 clash with Moana Pasifika in Auckland, but they will do so without the recently-turned 23-year-old Habosi who lit up last year’s maiden year for the franchise by scoring five tries in a dozen starts.

That breakthrough campaign brought him to the attention of Racing, who have signed him for the 2023/24 Top 14 season, while he also made his presence felt at Test level in November with Fiji, starting on the left wing in their tour matches versus Scotland and Ireland.

However, the availability of Habosi to play for Fiji in the upcoming 2023 Rugby World Cup in France might now be in jeopardy following Tuesday’s development at the Drua where his contract was terminated with immediate effect.

A statement read: “The Fijian Drua today confirmed that player Vinaya Habosi has had his contract terminated with immediate effect, due to a high-level breach of the club’s code of conduct.

Who will finish Super Rugby Pacific in pole position for New Zealand and Australia? And who will be the competition strugglers? #SuperRugbyPacifichttps://t.co/YOuEMcb9yM

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 2, 2023

“The decision was made after careful consideration, and full due process was accorded to Vinaya throughout the process. The Fijian Drua will not comment further on this matter.”

No explanation was given regarding what behaviour from Habosi constituted a high-level conduct breach, but the decision means he will be deprived of the Super Rugby that will be needed to keep him up to speed with Fiji ahead of the World Cup prior to his move to Paris.

There he will link up with fellow Fijians, new signings Josua Tuisova from Lyon and Stade Montois’ Wame Naitvui, under new boss Stuart Lancaster.