RUGBY is definitely Fiji’s big game. However, we seem to be kings in the shortened code of sevens and minnows in the 15s game.
On November 27, 2001, the back page of The Fiji Times had a picture of Flying Fijians halfback Samisoni Rabaka as he unsuccessfully chased down French wing Christophe Dominici on his way to score a try.
Fiji lost 70-7 on that day and it was their last match of the Europe tour. After the hiding at the hands of the French, Fiji Rugby Union life member Barry Sweetman highlighted the need for an expert overseas coach who could turn the game around.
According to the report on that day, the scrums were pathetic and in shambles, and there was below par performance from most players.
Things are different now. More Fijians are playing rugby professionally and all the top teams in the world have at least one Fijian in the team.
And Fiji has improved a lot from the way they used to play.
In 2007, Fiji shocked the world by beating Wales and then taking South Africa to the wire.
In 2015, Fiji showed that their so called weak spots were not weak any more.
National coach John McKee said World Cup last year was a stepping stone to building a team which would show consistency.
“Changes cannot be expected overnight and things take time. We had a good World Cup and areas we focused on improved,” he said.
“The problem, however, is to keep the top players together for an extended time.
“Unlike New Zealand, Australia, England and other top teams, we are not able to have all our players together as a result of their club commitments.
“We are hoping to change that with more top competition for the local players.”
This was a concern also highlighted by former sevens coach Ben Ryan who said clubs did not release players on time or not at all.
While this remain issues for the governing body to look at, rugby is in the blood of all Fijians and nothing unites the nation like the game.
