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Francis Kean steps down as Fiji chairman, brother-in-law appoints his successor

(Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

Controversial administrator Francis Kean is to step down from his position as Fiji Rugby Union chairman following a serious of damaging headlines around the world after his involvement in the recent World Rugby elections. Kean had supported Bill Beaumont’s re-election for the chairmanship but was stood down from the World Rugby council after it emerged he had been previously convicted of manslaughter.

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That was not enough to placate the dissatisfied Pacific Rugby Players Welfare group who described World Rugby’s governance as “glaringly deficient” in a stinging 59-page dossier published on Wednesday. 

World Rugby refuted the allegations contained in the damning report, but it later emerged Kean will now be succeeded as chairman of the Fijian board by Conway Beg. His appointment was proposed by Frank Bainimarama, the Fijian prime minister who is Kean’s brother-in-law. 

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Kean, the Fiji corrections commissioner commander, was convicted of manslaughter after killing a man in 2006 after an assault which happened at the wedding of one of Bainimarama’s daughters a month after Bainimarama seized power in a military coup. 

Kean since made his way up the corridors of power in the rugby world, but that rise now appears to have been halted at the FRU following a five-year spell as chairman, a position he is now being rotated out from. His reputation in rugby circles around the world might now be notorious, but Kean’s alleged positive influence on Fijian rugby was lauded by CEO John O’Connor in a statement on the Fijian union website.

 

It read: “Commander Kean has served five years as board chairman and spearheaded the major transformation we all now witness in the strategic direction, operations, and management of Fiji rugby. Without the dynamic, visionary and frank leadership style of Commander Kean, Fiji rugby would still be stuck in the swamp of mediocrity we witnessed for years prior to joining the union in 2015.”

O’Connor added: “The changes we all witness today at Fiji rugby is a testament to Commander Kean’s passion, commitment and love for Fiji rugby.

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“A first-ever strategic plan for Fiji rugby, a new constitution, World Rugby 7s bid, Super Rugby bid, a World Rugby council seat, alignment of all rugby in Fiji from primary to provincial, a provincial competition for women’s rugby, four consecutive years of unqualified annual financial reports, four consecutive years of surplus, an increased 300 per cent financial portfolio from $8million to $24m in five years and above all uniting the Fiji rugby council are just some of the hallmarks of Commander Kean’s tenure as chairman of the board.

“We are on the verge of joining the Six Nations rugby competition and have Super Rugby New Zealand and Australia knocking on our doors, great opportunities for Fiji rugby which we could only dream of in the past. This is a testament to his leadership ability over the last five years, operating smartly and tactfully when required plus using the leverage of being a council member for the benefit to Fiji rugby.”

These claims regarding Kean’s positive work run contrary to the claims of the Dan Leo-led PRPW. “We believe this year’s World Rugby elections should be reviewed in full,” said Leo earlier on Wednesday. 

“Serious questions are still to be answered about how Francis Kean, a man convicted of manslaughter, could have been accepted onto the World Rugby council. France had supported Kean’s nomination to World Rugby’s executive committee, though his candidacy was later withdrawn.

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“Fiji supported Bernard Laporte’s successful bid for World Rugby’s vice-chairmanship, with the French union boss and Beaumont’s joint ticket ousting the challenge of Agustin Pichot. We believe that the entire process merits comprehensive review.”

World Rugby later dismissed Leo’s allegations as unsubstantiated, stating: “World Rugby is completely satisfied that the 2020 chairperson election was undertaken in accordance with a robust process with Bill Beaumont elected in a fair and appropriate manner.”

 

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
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CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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LONG READ England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit
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