[Sativa]

More accusations of marijuana use have emerged in the Fiji rugby team but this time it is officials rather than players in the firing line.

Two players say the team bus was kept waiting before the match against Australia in Perth on June 9 while the two officials smoked the drug at their hotel.

Neither player wanted to be identified and the names of the team officials were not revealed.

"Many will not comment on it because we all know how things work, like being victimised if we speak out, but it is not good when people are investing big money into this team," one of the players said.

"We got really tired of waiting and so the captain (Alivereti Doviverata) said for us to go, and not wait for them."

Allegations against the officials were first aired in The Fiji Times newspaper on Saturday, when it was alleged the two officials had been smoking marijuana in a team camp at Sigatoka ahead of the June 23 match against Australia A in Suva.

Police had been called after the pair partied into the early hours of Thursday.

"We've received several reports and are carrying out our own investigations," Fiji Rugby Union chief executive Ratu Timoci Tavanavanua said. "We will deal with the matter and those allegedly involved, should the allegations turn out to be true. Until that time, of course, we cannot say anything further."

Star winger Rupeni Caucaunibuca was suspended for three months in June for testing positive for marijuana while playing for his French club Agen. The penalty may see him miss the World Cup.

Players Sireli Naqelevuki, Vilimoni Delasau and Viliame Satala have also been suspended in recent years for testing positive for marijuana.



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