Fiji players finally paid for RLWC efforts

The long-running pay dispute between Fiji's rugby league officials and its national team is reportedly over after a loan from the Rugby League International Federation.

Fairfax Media reports that Fiji's players have only recently been paid for their efforts in the Rugby League World Cup, which concluded last December.

In that tournament, Fiji scored the biggest upset when they stunned New Zealand in the quarter-finals.

Fiji's side included NRL stars Jarryd Hayne, Kane Evans, Akuila Uate, Kevin Naiqama, Ashton Sims and Suliasi Vunivalu.

Each player has now reportedly received their payment for the event, just over $3,000, after the RLIF made a loan to the Fijian National Rugby League.

Now the players have been paid, it is hoped they will back down on their threat to boycott future Tests and a proposed match against Papua New Guinea at Campbelltown Stadium can go ahead on June 23.

RLIF chairman John Grant said the loan was a last resort to resolve a difficult situation.

"Our responsibility is to look after the reputation of international rugby league," Grant told Fairfax.

"If it means money can't be resolved by factors other than us, we're going to resolve it, no question whatsoever."