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Sevens King Waisale Serevi has been sensationally removed as coach of Fiji in a bizarre turn of events, according to the Fiji Times.

As UR7s reported yesterday, the Fijian squad for the next leg of the IRB Sevens World Series in Wellington was announced yesterday with five new players drafted in at the expense of experienced players such as Emosi Vucago and Lepani Nabuliwaqa.

Yet Coach Serevi had appeared to be left in the dark about the decisions and was not present at Rugby House when the squad was announced yesterday – perhaps a sign of the behind the scenes issues. Apparently Serevi was given his marching orders by courtesy of a letter after training today in another stinging blow.

Earlier in the day Serevi couldn’t fail to hide his disappointment of the selection news and proceeded to make an appearance on a Fiji Television sports show seemingly further antagonising the FRU.

“I am disappointed, angry and sad at the same time because we are talking about the Fiji team. The team belongs to the people of Fiji and we need the right players so that we could win. I was not happy with the selectors,” said Serevi after training yesterday.

Five new players –– Pio Tuwai, Nemia Kenatale, Niumaia Cakacaka, Will-iam Saukuru and Filimoni Botitu –– replaced Nabuli-waqa, Vucago, Naisa Naru-kutabua, Iveri Lavo and Sailosi Rabo.

"The Wellington tournament needs experienced players and it should not be a tournament to develop new players.

"My concern is that we need to take players that can match the standard but the selectors have chosen a young team.

"I'm not saying that these new players are not good, they are good but we need the experienced ones to match the standard."

The selection debate has been an ongoing issue of an often fractured relationship between the Coach and the FRU, and Serevi’s latest outburst appeared the final straw for Fiji’s hierarchy and chief executive Keni Dakuidreketi.

When asked if their decision was influenced by Serevis appearance on local television yesterday, Dakuidreketi said they had reached the decision before the televised interview.

"The board reached the decision (to sack Serevi) yesterday afternoon after a lengthy board meeting and it was a unanimous decision and is of immediate effect," he said.

"We were left with no option but to sack Serevi because he was not a team player. No one is indispensable.”

It is believed Serevi was particularly annoyed that the majority of the shadow squad (South Sea Drifters) he took to the Darwin Hottest 7s had been overlooked and the cauldron of Wellington Sevens was not a suitable environment to be blooding five youngsters.

Yesterday selector Mosese Taga was on hand to explain the selection and controversial exclusions of Vucago and Lepani. "Some players due to injuries and others who didn't make the fitness level, were not included in the team," Taga said.

"There is a selection criteria set in place to select the best players for the Wellington and San Diego sevens. Emosi was injured during the Darwin sevens and has not been selected in this series." Nabuliwaqa poor performance in a fitness test was reportedly the main reason for his absence.

Serevi had also felt the performances in Darwin of the towering lock forward Ponipate Kato should have merited his inclusion in the squad. "I was impressed with Kato's performance during the tournament," said Serevi at the weekend. "He played well in getting the kick-offs and also in the scrummaging."

The news is bound to cause outrage for Fiji’s rugby loving aficionados who were the key influencers in the FRU’s dramatic decision to rehire Serevi as coach last year. He had been replaced in 2007 by his former assistant Jo Savou.

"It is sad, but it is their decision. I am without a job and I wish Fiji well in rugby."

He has been replaced by former Auckland winger Iliesa Tanivula, the coach of the Fijian sevens reserve team.

Serevi is regarded as one of the greatest sevens players of all time, and led Fiji to their first world series title in 2006 as player-coach. He was also captain of the Fiji squads that won the Rugby World Cup sevens in 1997 and 2005.