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Francis Kean steps down as Fiji chairman, brother-in-law appoints his successor
Controversial administrator Francis Kean is to step down from his position as Fiji Rugby Union chairman following a serious of damaging headlines around the world after his involvement in the recent World Rugby elections. Kean had supported Bill Beaumont’s re-election for the chairmanship but was stood down from the World Rugby council after it emerged he had been previously convicted of manslaughter.
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That was not enough to placate the dissatisfied Pacific Rugby Players Welfare group who described World Rugby’s governance as “glaringly deficient” in a stinging 59-page dossier published on Wednesday.
World Rugby refuted the allegations contained in the damning report, but it later emerged Kean will now be succeeded as chairman of the Fijian board by Conway Beg. His appointment was proposed by Frank Bainimarama, the Fijian prime minister who is Kean’s brother-in-law.
Kean, the Fiji corrections commissioner commander, was convicted of manslaughter after killing a man in 2006 after an assault which happened at the wedding of one of Bainimarama’s daughters a month after Bainimarama seized power in a military coup.
Kean since made his way up the corridors of power in the rugby world, but that rise now appears to have been halted at the FRU following a five-year spell as chairman, a position he is now being rotated out from. His reputation in rugby circles around the world might now be notorious, but Kean’s alleged positive influence on Fijian rugby was lauded by CEO John O’Connor in a statement on the Fijian union website.
1/2 World Rugby notes the Fiji Rugby Union announcement that Francis Kean will vacate his position as Chairman and Board Member. https://t.co/iLAupVGmD1
— World Rugby Media (@worldrugbymedia) July 22, 2020
It read: “Commander Kean has served five years as board chairman and spearheaded the major transformation we all now witness in the strategic direction, operations, and management of Fiji rugby. Without the dynamic, visionary and frank leadership style of Commander Kean, Fiji rugby would still be stuck in the swamp of mediocrity we witnessed for years prior to joining the union in 2015.”
O’Connor added: “The changes we all witness today at Fiji rugby is a testament to Commander Kean’s passion, commitment and love for Fiji rugby.
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“A first-ever strategic plan for Fiji rugby, a new constitution, World Rugby 7s bid, Super Rugby bid, a World Rugby council seat, alignment of all rugby in Fiji from primary to provincial, a provincial competition for women’s rugby, four consecutive years of unqualified annual financial reports, four consecutive years of surplus, an increased 300 per cent financial portfolio from $8million to $24m in five years and above all uniting the Fiji rugby council are just some of the hallmarks of Commander Kean’s tenure as chairman of the board.
“We are on the verge of joining the Six Nations rugby competition and have Super Rugby New Zealand and Australia knocking on our doors, great opportunities for Fiji rugby which we could only dream of in the past. This is a testament to his leadership ability over the last five years, operating smartly and tactfully when required plus using the leverage of being a council member for the benefit to Fiji rugby.”
These claims regarding Kean’s positive work run contrary to the claims of the Dan Leo-led PRPW. “We believe this year’s World Rugby elections should be reviewed in full,” said Leo earlier on Wednesday.
“Serious questions are still to be answered about how Francis Kean, a man convicted of manslaughter, could have been accepted onto the World Rugby council. France had supported Kean’s nomination to World Rugby’s executive committee, though his candidacy was later withdrawn.
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“Fiji supported Bernard Laporte’s successful bid for World Rugby’s vice-chairmanship, with the French union boss and Beaumont’s joint ticket ousting the challenge of Agustin Pichot. We believe that the entire process merits comprehensive review.”
World Rugby later dismissed Leo’s allegations as unsubstantiated, stating: “World Rugby is completely satisfied that the 2020 chairperson election was undertaken in accordance with a robust process with Bill Beaumont elected in a fair and appropriate manner.”
It has been an extraordinary day of claim and counter claim https://t.co/MfknKH1DHZ
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 22, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
Think you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
5 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
5 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
7 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
7 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
5 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
7 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
5 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
5 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
12 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
12 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
12 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
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