{
  "id": 414799,
  "title": "Fijiana player still waiting for ACL surgery months after injury",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/fijiana-player-still-waiting-for-acl-surgery-months-after-injury",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-09T22:04:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "RNZ Pacific",
    "slug": "rnz-pacific",
    "url": "https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/950595/fijiana-player-still-waiting-for-acl-surgery-months-after-injury"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Fijian women's national rugby team player Salanieta Kinita is still awaiting assistance to undergo surgery for her ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), over three months after sustaining the injury during a match for the national team in April. The Fijian Rugby Union (FRU) has reportedly made arrangements to send Kinita to New Zealand for treatment, but are waiting for doctor availability. The Pacific Rugby Players Association (PRP) is also trying to secure help for Kinita, who has reached out to them for support. The PRP chief executive, Hale T Pole, expressed disappointment that a player in need of assistance is not receiving it, despite discussions about fostering women's rugby. Kinita played for Fijiana against Samoa and Tonga in a three-match series in Lautoka and Ba. However, the FRU's insurance coverage only applies to treatment within Suva, which is why the player is still waiting for help. If Kinita had been injured while playing for the Fijian Drua women, the insurance would have covered both surgery and the subsequent rehabilitation period.",
  "summary": "Fijiana XV and Fijian Drua women flyhalf Salanieta Kinita ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament while playing for the national team at the Oceania Women's Rugby Championship in April.",
  "key_points": [
    "Fijian rugby player Salanieta Kinita injured her ACL in April.",
    "Kinita is waiting for ACL surgery, over three months later.",
    "FRU insurance only covers treatment in Suva, delaying her care."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}