Pivac - who according to reports is still in Fiji - has already signed a contract with Kiwi side North Harbour, but he could encounter some serious obstacles as he looks to embark upon the next phase of his career.

In statements reported on New Zealnd news site, stuff.co.nz, the newly-appointed Sports Minister, Lekh Ram Vayeshnoi, placed in office by Fiji's military regime who themselves came to power by means of a coup d'etat on December 5, 2006, has expressed anger at Pivac's "easy" release from his coaching duties.

Apparently the regime has already drawn up a list of people who will not be able to leave the country - a list that includes some of the island's key businessmen, and Pivac.

Vayeshnoi has reportedly demanded an explanation over Pivac's departure from FRU Chairman Keni Dakuidreketi.

"The unequivocal acceptance by the FRU raises several questions, with the most obvious being why did the FRU release Pivac without so much as a whimper of a protest on Pivac prematurely and quite irresponsibly terminating the contract of employment with the FRU," he said in a statement.

"Why did the FRU not seek to protect its financial interest in the employment of Pivac more responsibly?

"Did the FRU not envisage that Pivac needed to have his family here in Fiji with him and make the necessary inclusions in his contract as well as reflecting the same in his remuneration package?

"If a family allowance was provided there is no excuse for Pivac to prematurely terminate his contract of employment on grounds of 'family reasons'.

"I am of the view the said contract needs to be scrutinised to see if there's a basis for the FRU to bring a claim against Pivac for the early termination of his contract, especially at this late a stage and given the Rugby World Cup is only a matter of months away."

Vayeshnoi added that the resignation had "severely prejudiced the preparation of the national team and put at risk the hard work and very generous funding ($500,000 in 2006) by the State".

"The tax-payers and the rugby patrons of this country deserve better as does the government of the day," he concluded.