Fijiana player still waiting for ACL surgery months after injury

Salanieta Kinita, a flyhalf for the Fijian women's national rugby team (Fijiana XV) and the Fijian Drua, is facing a prolonged wait for crucial knee surgery months after sustaining a serious anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture.

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Arrangements have already been made to send Kinita to New Zealand for treatment.

The injury occurred in April while Kinita was representing the national team at the 2026 Oceania Women's Rugby Championship. Despite the severity of the injury, the 24-year-old player is still uncertain about receiving assistance for overseas treatment from the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU).

FRU chief executive Koli Sewabau told RNZ Pacific that "arrangements have already been made" to send Kinita to New Zealand for treatment, and they are "awaiting for doctor's availability." However, the Pacific Rugby Players Association (PRP) confirmed they are also trying to assist Kinita after she reached out to them for support and clarity on her treatment.

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Awaiting for doctor's availability to send her across as soon as we get the greenlight from NZ.

Hale T Pole, chief executive of PRP, expressed concern, stating, "It is sad that while there is so much talk about developing and supporting women's rugby yet we have a player here who needs help and that is not forthcoming." This situation underscores a potential gap in the FRU's player insurance coverage, which reportedly does not cover overseas treatment for injuries sustained while playing for the national team.

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[Kinita] and her family have reached out to PRP for support and get clarity on her treatment.

Adding to the concern, had Kinita been injured playing for the Fijian Drua women's franchise, her surgery and subsequent rehabilitation would likely have been covered under the franchise's insurance arrangements. This disparity highlights a critical issue in player welfare and support within Fijian rugby.

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It is sad that while there is so much talk about developing and supporting women's rugby yet we have a player here who needs help and that is not forthcoming.