FIJIAN rugby has a rich history blended bitter and sweet memories that will always linger in the minds and hearts of rugby fans from generation to generation.
The country had produced some fabulous players and magnificent teams that have come and gone leaving behind marks for the fans to cherish.
Some of the teams and players that etched their names on the Fiji Rugby history book were the 1977 Fiji team that defeated the British Lions, the unbeatable Ratu George Cakobau-captained Fiji team that toured New Zealand in 1959, the 1987 Fiji team that reached the 1987 Rugby World Cup and the 2007 Fiji team that reached the RWC quarter-finals.
In the abbreviated code our rugby 7s teams of 1997 and 2005 led by World Rugby 7s Hall of Fame inductee Waisale Serevi have done wonders for this tiny nation after winning the Rugby Sevens World Cup titles.
The 1997 7s team includes the late Aminiasi Natuiyaga, Jope Tuikabe, Luke Erenavula, Leveni Duvuduvukula, the late Inoke Maraiwai, Lemeki Koroi, Serevi, Manasa Bari, Marika Vunibaka and Taniela Qauqau.
In 2005 the 7s legend again led the invisible Fijians outfit of Semisi Naevo, Viliame Satala, Apolosi Satala, Marika Vunibaka, Ifereimi Rawaqa, Jone Daunivucu, William Ryder, Filimoni Delasau, Sireli Bobo, Neumi Nanuku and Nasoni Roko to win Fiji its second world cup titles.
Another notable 7s achievement was when Serevi guided the national 7s team to create history by winning the World Rugby 7s series in 2006/2007 —— ateam which comprised players such as Semisi Naevo, William Ryder, Mosese Volavola, Etonia Naba, Sireli Naqelevuki, Mosese Volavola, Setefano Cakau, Simione Saravanua, Emosi Vucago and Nasoni Roko.
The latest 7s achievement was when Ben Ryan guided the national 7s team to win its second world series title. A team that comprises skipper Osea Kolinisau, Semi Kunatani, Pio Tuwai, Isake Katonibau, Viliame Mata, Jasa Veremalua, Sitiveni Waqa, Jerry Tuwai, Eminoni Nasilasila, Kitione Taliga, Savenaca Rawaca and Samisoni Viriviri to name a few.
Another team that had also created history for the country was the 1996 Fiji 15s team that handed Samoa one of their worst defeats during the then South Pacific Championship held at Suva.
This was arguably the best Fijian team to win against any international team on home soil as they spoiled Samoa’s captain Peter Fatialofa’s farewell game with a 60-0 win.
The team included players such as Sale Sorovaki, Mosese Taga, Joeli Veitayaki, Greg Smith, Emori Katalau, Ifereimi Tawake, Mark Black, Setareki Tawake, Tomasi Tamanivalu, Dan Rouse, Jacob Rauluni, Nicky Little, Sunia Nasilasila, Manasa Bari, Aisea Tuilevu, Alfie Uluinayau, Epeli Natuivau and Waisale Serevi.
And as we count down to the upcoming World Cup, let’s hear from two inspirational members of that 1996 invincible team that rewrote another chapter in our rugby history book.
Inside centre Sale Sorovaki said representing the country was a humbling experience for the players.
He said players had to fight against each other for a place in the run-on team as all players badly want to be in the first 15s.
The FRU development manager said it was players’ rivalry and battle to secure their spots in the team that attributed to their 1996 victory.
He said at one stage of their training players fought because of the hunger to don the famous white jersey with the coconut tree emblem on their chest.
Sorovaki said the players were very fit and the combination was perfect that resulted to the huge score line.
“Training that week leading up to that game was so intense that fights broke out during training,” he said.
“We were so fired up even at training. You’d have 1000 people turn up at Albert Park or Corpus Christie to watch us train.
“We weren’t going to let all these people down on Saturday. No way. Serevi admitted that even he was also tired. The intensity of the training under Brad Johnstone was something that all who played under him could testify to.”
The former New Zealand-based player said the guts and will to make country proud inspired the players to come out of their comfort zone and produced the goods.
“We were returning home on the back of a three-match tour of New Zealand and then the two games including a Test against the then World Champion Springboks in Pretoria,” he said.
“We returned home to face Samoa that day. We had all systems firing and sometimes everything falls into place as far as the game is concerned.
“It rarely happens but it happened for us that day. It was one of those games that no matter who we played, we were just not going to back down. There was a lot of talent and new blood in the team.
“We scored barely a minute into the game and one minute away from full time, we were focused to win that day.”
Former national skipper Mosese Taga who was also part of that fabulous Fiji team said fitness contributed immensely to their rugby success.
He said the players knew each others’ game pattern because of the many game time they had prior to the Samoa match.
“The reason behind the win can be tied down to the following: “We had just finished a long tour where we played a few games against top provincial teams in New Zealand and then moved over to South Africa where we played the Springboks in an official Test,” said Taga.
“Waikato was one of the teams we beat in this warm up matches and we competed very well in the Test.
“Through this tour the atmosphere was great and team stood up for one another. Team bonding was awesome, we were very close to one another.
“We had a good mixture on overseas and local players, the overseas players brought in a standard that challenged the local boys in terms of professionalism, mental toughness, putting the team first and other interest second, behaviour and also the hunger to wear a jersey on game day.
“The fitness level was second to none and having a coach like Brad, manager like Sialeni Vuetaki and front rows like Scooter, Joeli Veitayaki and Epeli Natuivau, the forwards were very competitive. The girls (backs) were able to perform very well because the big boys (forwards) did their job very well.
“I still can remember Peter Fatialofa being very embarrassed and disappointed as it was his farewell game.”
Taga said with one heart, mind, soul and fitness, Fiji could beat any team on the day.
“Hunger to win have done wonders before and at the end of the day fitness level would be the differentiator.”
So the challenge is for our current and future national reps to emulate the achievements of the incredible 1996 outift.
