Financial problems at the Fiji Rugby Union have eased following the signing of a lucrative five year sponsorship agreement.
The Union has been in talks with a number of companies over the past month, in an attempt to cover a US $1.5 million dollar funding shortfall.
It comes after the IRB suspended direct funding to Fiji Rugby, citing its failure to implement key financial reporting, administration and governance reforms.
The national sevens coach Ben Ryan says things need to be sorted sooner rather than later.
"We need the funding ASAP. Where I'm confident is I'm confident in the chairman's ability. Filimone [Waqabaca], who's also the Fijian finance minister, is one of the brightest guys I've met and he's also got rugby at heart. [It is] safe hands with him at the helm really and I know he's come back into the islands after being in Washington. Time is running out for us - as a resource we need some cash quickly so we can retain players and adequately prepare for the tournaments".
Further details about the sponsorship deal are expected to be announced on Monday.
