Pivac's Fiji job hangs in balance

Coach Wayne Pivac's job is in jeopardy just days ahead of Fiji's international against New Zealand Maori.

The Fiji Rugby Union's cash woes meant Pivac was unable to tell the Herald yesterday if he would still be coach in a week.

"That's a very good question and it's one I can't answer," he said.

Apart from playing the Maori in Suva next Friday, Fiji are due to face the All Blacks at Albany on June 10.

Asked if he was still being paid, Pivac, who has moved his family to Nadi, initially declined to answer, but then said he was.

"I've been paid at the moment, but whether I'll be paid next pay round, who knows.

"That's why it's been a situation where we're monitoring it on a daily basis."

Pivac said he was not ready to give up coaching Fiji and had his "fingers and toes crossed" that efforts to secure rugby's immediate future in the islands would be resolved soon.

Fiji's union announced in April it was insolvent, posting a $721,064 loss for the year ending December, with its debts outstripping its assets.

While it has borrowed funds to keep operating, it has still to secure sponsorship to generate cashflow.

Clearly frustrated, Pivac was yesterday trying to rustle up money to buy strapping for physiotherapists ahead of today's trials to select Fiji's squad for the New Zealand games.

In another blow, Blues player Isa Nacewa has pulled out of the trial after he attempted to fly to Fiji three times, only to be left stranded by ticketing troubles.

Pivac said he expected Nacewa was concerned about the financial uncertainty and the resignation of team manager - and Pivac's former Auckland manager - Derek Sampson.

"I don't blame him for being upset, knowing the financial situation, hearing his old manager's resigned. He'll be thinking, 'Well, heck, will Wayne be there in a week's time'?"

Pivac said that despite the uncertainty he was still not a candidate for the vacant Blues job. "At the moment my total focus is getting Fiji on its feet, helping where I can to make sure the doors stay open.

"The Blues job I'm aware is up for grabs. Whether I am in the race for the job? At the moment, I'm not. That's where I'm at as of today."