RAKA FILE | The lion tamers

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Atonio Racika carries Pio Bosco off on his shoulders with the help of Josefa Rauto, Joape Kuinikoro and Viliame Ratudradra after Fiji beat the British Lions 25-21 at Buckhurst Park in Suva on August 16, 1977. Picture: FT FILE

Published in The Fiji Times on August 17, 1977

Pio Bosco and his men wrote a golden new chapter in Fiji rugby at Buckhurst Park yesterday.

With their 25-21 win over the formidable British Lions, Fiji scored their first triumph over a major international side.

To the wild cheers of 20,000 spectators some of whom had come from as far as Vanua Levu and packed stands, Fiji romped home after a magnificent display of rugby both by the home team and the visitors.

When the final whistle went, players carried captain Tikoisuva on their shoulders while the playing field turned into a sea of excited faces.

Fiji had never beaten an international team like the Lions.

For many years, Fiji rugby has been struggling on the fringes of big league games in efforts to win recognition from the International Rugby Board.

Now, Fiji have a chance to become a member of the international board.

The famous Lions succumbed to a faster and fitter Fiji after their brilliant 25-match tour of New Zealand. They lost only one provincial match, but went down 3-1 to the All Blacks in the test series.

Fiji played according to their plan. They ran the ball as mush as possible, even from their own 22metre line. The big Lions forwards struggled to tackle them.

Yesterday’s win is a giant step forward for Fiji Rugby after their setback last year during the Australian tour.