Braving an icy cold snap in Gisborne, the Fiji rugby team — with Joe Levula on the wing — began their 1957 tour of New Zealand against Poverty Bay, according to a Fiji Times report on July 13 that year.
It was described as one of the most anticipated Fijian rugby teams that toured The Land of the Long White Clouds.
The team had settled down well at their Gisborne training quarters as they made last-minute preparations for their opening game of the tour, but a severe cold spell with frosty weather hit Gisborne and was causing the tourists some discomfort.
The cold had forced many in the team to temporarily forsake their sulu. They wore clothing more suited for the cold weather.
The ground was iron hard and rain was expected which could make conditions especially difficult for the Fijians.
Since their arrival at Gisborne, the players had impressed in their training runs. They were expected to fully extend the local side which had a chequered record so far in the season.
Where the Poverty Bay team could have it over the tourists was in the forwards, although without the services of the great All Black lock R A (Tiny) White, the Poverty Bay pack would prove too strong for the fairly light Fijian eight.
The Fijian forwards were not without experience, however, and they were getting a final brush-up on all phrases of play from the New Zealand Maori player, W Carrington.
The manager of the touring side, JW Ackroyd, principal of Suva Boys Grammar School, had concentrated on bringing the backline up to a new peak.
After daily training runs, he finally saw his team “coming right”. The Fiji Broadcasting Commission broadcasted a description of the Fiji vs Poverty Bay game.
Fullback Nacanieli Uluiviti, who had been treated for an injured knee, showed that he was going to be fit when he completed training in a good form.
The final composition of the Fijian side for the match had not been decided upon.
One of the main positions still in doubt was that of halfback.
Both halves, Jese Mucunabitu and Suliasi Vatubua, had been training well but it was likely that Mucunabitu would get the position.
He had impressed with good long passes and intelligent midfield breaks in training.
One of the backs that New Zealanders were most keen to see was Joe Levula who thrilled the crowds with his powerful running when the last team from Fiji toured the country.
He was likely to be opposed by the local side’s most promising back, Mick Cossey, who was an All Black trialist in the same year.
Cossey was one of the few Poverty Bay backs expected to be fast enough to foot it with the tourists.
The match ended in a 14-all draw before a crowd of about 10,000 spectators.
