NATIONAL rugby reps will soon receive their Fiji rugby caps to honour them when selected to play for the Flying Fijians.
At the FRU awards night at the Novotel Suva, Lami Bay, FRU chief executive officer John O’Connor said this would be done to see that Fiji rugby launched a tradition to honour players who made their debut and those reaching their 50th and 100th caps.
While welcoming guests to the event in Novotel Suva, O’Connor said on his trip to France where he met senior Flying Fijians, the players highlighted their disappointment on FRU’s “no tradition” of honouring players.
“I met the senior players after their game against Japan in France where they said they were disappointed that Fiji does not have any tradition in honouring players who play their first cap, those that have reached 50th and 100th,” O’Connor said.
Last night saw the honouring of former Flying Fijians first-five Nicky Little, Flying Fijians captain Akapusi Qera and Sunia Koto. All have reached the 50th Test mark.
O’Connor said these players would receive their caps when they came home.
He has also had discussions with the Australian and New Zealand rugby unions on how the tradition was done and to see Fiji rugby had something similar.
Also remembered last night were fallen heroes of Fiji rugby.
This included Seru Rabeni, Etuate Waqa, Mesake Seavula, Sairusi Naituku, Vili Rauluni and those who helped the growth of rugby in the country; Rupeni Tamani, Semesa Lawai, Asaeli Kalo and Nadroga Rugby Union patron Ratu Kinijoji Vosailagi.
The awards night was still in its early stages when this edition went to press.