God, family, country and rugby — these are four pinnacles that make Fiji tick.
And it is because of rugby's high regard that Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) is one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions in the country.
On the eve of what was supposed to be a historic annual general meeting (AGM) for the FRU, the sporting administrator is now embroiled in crisis.
At the AGM, key board positions were up for election including former prime minister Frank Bainimarama's role as board president.
But the AGM is now cancelled, the board members, including Mr Bainimarama have been forced to resign, and the FRU will now be in the hands of an appointed administrator and trustees to move forward.
The situation heated up on Wednesday when Fiji's Attorney-General Siromi Turaga exercised his lawful power to bring about these dramatic changes.
Mr Turaga could intervene on the basis of a number of legal technicalities concerning the FRU's current status operating as a charitable trust.
A horror week for FRU
Over the weekend, Rugby Australia had to pay the FRU's catering bill for the Fijiana Drua, who were in Australia defending their Super W title.
Reports were made public after the team was turned away by a restaurant and the players had to rely on Brisbane's Fijian community to feed them in the lead-up to a critical game against the Reds.
This was later confirmed by the FRU's interim CEO Sale Sorovaki, who said he was "eternally grateful to the Fijian families that have assisted the Fijiana Drua with meals and other support, and for using their own hard-earned resources to help in the time of need".
Rugby Australia agreed to pay the caterer (including the outstanding invoice in full) and ensured the Fijiana Drua had full access to provisions until they departed Australia on Sunday evening.
The FRU is responsible for looking over the general logistics of any team travelling overseas.
The recent events have raised public concerns about the preparation and attendance of Fiji's national rugby team at the Rugby World Cup in France later this year.
FRU's financial woes revealed
Shortly after the food bill saga made headlines, the FRU revealed a $1.3 million financial loss for the 2022 financial year compared to a profit of $269,554 in 2021.
Speaking to the Fiji media about the annual report, Mr Sorovaki said the FRU's revenue increased to $21.356 million in 2022 compared to $12.941 million in 2021, however, their expenses increased from $12.671 million in 2021 to $22.711 million in 2022, resulting in their financial position.
ABC Sport has sought clarification from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to confirm reported financial assistance to the FRU of $1.3 million through the Pacific Aus Sports Program for the last financial year.
It is currently unknown if Mr Bainimarama can or will reapply for board selection.
He was first elected president of the FRU in 2014 — the same year Fiji returned to democratic elections after eight years of Mr Bainimarama's military dictatorship.
Mr Bainimarama was re-elected president of FRU unopposed at the 2019 AGM, where the board also celebrated his 65th birthday.
Mr Bainimarama has remained president while the FRU has faced a number of issues, and while executive-branch positions linked to his government have been cleaned out following his electoral loss to Sitiveni Rabuka last December.
Many key members of the FRU board past and present are personally linked to Mr Bainimarama.
This includes the interim CEO, who is his son-in-law. The previous chair, former navy commander Francis Kean, is his brother-in-law. The current chair, a current naval commander, Commodore Humphrey Tawake, was Mr Bainimarama's prime minister's nomination to the board.
