Fiji annoyed with World Rugby awards snub
Fuming Fiji on Tuesday said they were gutted that none of their nominees won at the World Rugby awards this week and planned to make their feelings known to the sport's governing body.
New Zealand won a hat-trick of titles at the awards bash on Sunday in London, including team of the year, player of the year (Beauden Barrett) and coach of the year (Steve Hansen).
Fiji's Sevens team, who won the country's first ever Olympic gold medal at Rio, were nominated for team of the year with their English coach Ben Ryan in the running for the top coach accolade, but were overlooked for both.
The Fiji Rugby Union felt hard done by and in a statement widely carried by the nation's media said it was "in the process of expressing its concerns and disappointment to World Rugby".
"While we respect the achievement of the All Blacks during the year, we strongly believe that the impact of the Fiji Sevens team winning back to back World 7's Series titles and more importantly winning the gold medal at the Rio Olympic Games had a far greater impact to the game of rugby globally," it said.
"We believe that our Sevens team with the meagre resources available to them has outperformed any other rugby team in 2016.
"The rugby world expects the All Blacks to do well every time because they have all resources available to them."
It was also upset that South Africa's Seabelo Senatla won the Sevens player of the year gong, instead of Osea Kolinisau.
"The impact Osea Kolinisau had on the game of Sevens in the last two seasons by far outclasses any performance by Seabelo Senatla and we are disappointed he was not awarded the Sevens best player of the year," it said.
Sevens rugby is Fiji's national sport and part of its culture. The gold medal success in Rio galvanised the country with thousands of fans lining the flag-bedecked streets of Nadi to catch a glimpse of their idols on their return.
World Rugby awards for 2016 announced in London on Sunday:
Men's Player of the Year - Beauden Barrett (NZL)
Women's Player of the Year - Sarah Hunter (ENG)
Team of the Year - New Zealand
Coach of the Year - Steve Hansen (NZL)
Breakthrough Player of the Year - Maro Itoje (ENG)
Men's Sevens Player of the Year - Seabelo Senatla (RSA)
Women's Sevens Player of the Year - Charlotte Caslick (AUS)
Referee Award - Alhambra Nievas (ESP) and Rasta Rasivhenge (RSA)
Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service - Syd Millar
Award for Character - Rugby Opens Borders, Austrian Rugby Union,
IRPA Special Merit Award - Jean de Villiers (RSA)
IRPA Try of the Year - Jamie Heaslip (IRL) against Italy in the Six Nations
Olympic recognition - Fiji and Australia