Rugby league in Fiji

Rugby league, or rakavi saumi as it is also known there,[1] is a popular team sport played in Fiji since 1992 when the country was included in the World Sevens.[2]

Rugby league in Fiji
CountryFiji
National team(s)Fiji
Nickname(s)Batis
First played1992
National competitions
Club competitions

History

There has been a long history of Fijian rugby union players making their mark in rugby league, most notably in the 1960s when Joe Levula and Laitia Ravouvou joined Rochdale Hornets and became household names in the English competition. However, rugby league was only introduced in Fiji in 1992. The man who was responsible for its introduction and who went on to become General Manager in those early years was Mr Culden Kamea. In consultation with the then Australian Rugby League (ARL), Mr Kamea was instrumental in the formation of the first Fiji team that took part in a sevens tournament in Sydney, unknowingly knocking over the Canberra Raiders in one of Fiji team's first ever games. That team was made up of some of the unknown players who were part of the all conquering Fiji rugby union sevens team that had won the Hong Kong sevens tournament 3 years in a row (1990–92). Players included Alifereti Dere, Pauliasi Tabulutu, Acura Niuqila and Noa Nadruku. Other players who transitioned to rugby league included Niko Baleiverata, Etuate Waqa, Ratu Orisi Cavuilati, Iosefo Bele, Pio Nakubuwai, Luke Erenavula, Kaiava Salusalu, Kalaveti Naisoro, Nemani Matirewa, Filimoni Seru, Ili Toga and boxer Aisea Nama. Players who were also part of the early Bati teams included those already playing in Australia such as Livai Nalagilagi, Jo Rabele, Manoa Thompson and James Pickering. The game has grown in popularity and is played in most of the main rugby playing provinces of Fiji. Its first ever President was the then Major General Sitiveni Rabuka whose stewardship did wonders for the game in those early years. The Bati recorded some notable victories in its first few years including over France (1994), The British Amateur Rugby League Association (BARLA) team (1994), South Africa (1995 World Cup) and a New Zealand development team.

The national team is known as 'Bati' (pronounced mmBarty) which is the Fijian word for 'Warrior'. The Crest has the words 'Noqu Kalou Noqu Vanua' which is Fijian for 'My God My Land'.

Popularity

The competition consists of 12 teams divided between East and West conferences. Once the Grand Final is played, a Super 6 competition takes place among the best players from the FNRL. In September a State of Origin type competition is played with East against West.[3]

The administration of rugby league in Fiji has focused more on building the skills base of their players to the levels of the larger rugby league nations rather than those they're used to playing in the Pacific Cup or Pacific Rim Championship.

Fiji National Rugby League (FNRL)

The Fiji National Rugby League Competition was restructured for the 2016 season into zones from a Top 8 league of 14 Rounds and Finals. Each Zone plays their own competition with 16 teams going through from all 6 Zones into a knockout phase until the champion is decided in a Final.

Previous National Winners:

  • 2016 Police Sharks defeated Burenitu Cowboys 18-10
  • 2017 Sabeto Roosters defeated Ravoravo Rabbitohs 12-8

Each Zone comprises the following clubs:

Suva Zone:

  • Lami Steelers
  • Lovoni Titans
  • Nabua Broncos
  • Nausori Bulldogs
  • Police Sharks
  • Suva City Storm
  • Topline Nabua Warriors

Nasinu Zone:

  • Army Bears
  • Davuilevu Knights
  • Kinoya Sea Eagles
  • Makoi Bulldogs
  • Nadera Panthers
  • USP Islanders

Nadi Zone:

  • Malawai Sea Eagles
  • Nadi Eels
  • Navatulevu Herons
  • Ravoravo Rabbitohs
  • Sabeto Roosters
  • West Fiji Dolphins
  • West Coast Storm
  • Momi Tigers - Reserves only

Ra Zone:

  • Burenitu Cowboys
  • Namuaniwaqa Sea Eagles
  • Vatukoro Titans - ?
  • Mataso Eels - ?
  • Nababa Rabbitohs - ?

Lautoka Zone:

  • Lautoka Crushers
  • Namoli West Tigers
  • Saru Dragons
  • Yasawa Saints
  • Uluniwai Magpies - ?

Nadroga Zone:

  • Boxon
  • Coastal Owls
  • Coastline Roos
  • Korolevu Ruggers
  • Mataqe Stormforce
  • Noitoga Bears
  • Raiwaqa Knights

Once the Zone Champions and National Knockout is decided each zone selects players to represent them in the Inter Zone Championship.

Each Zone plays each other over 5 weeks before semi finals and a final is played.

Each Zone also has Under 20 teams and a Woman's team.

Zones are:

  • Suva Eagles
  • Nasinu Titans
  • Nadi Aviators
  • Ra Roosters
  • Lautoka Crusaders
  • Nadroga Knights

Previous Inter Zone Championship Finals:

  • 2016 Nadi Aviators defeated Suva Eagles 38-30
  • 2017 Nadi Aviators defeated Nasinu Titans 20-18

Previous Under 20s Inter Zone Championship Finals:

  • 2016 Nadi Aviators defeated Nasinu Titans 19-12
  • 2017 Nadi Aviators defeated Nasinu Titans 24-6

Previous Women's Inter Zone Championship Finals:

  • 2017 Lautoka Crusaders defeated Nodroga Knights 26-24

The winner of the Inter Zone Championship goes on to play the winner of the Digicel National Competition from PNG in February the next year in the Melanesian Club Championship:

Previous Melanesian Club Championship Finals:

  • 2017 Lae Tigers defeated Nadi Aviators 40-4 in Sigatoka, Fiji
  • 2018 Lae Tigers defeated Nadi Aviators 38-22 in Port Moresby, PNG

The National Team
Main article: Fiji national rugby league team

Notable players

Nadera Panthers

See also

References
  1. Irvine, Christopher (2008-11-15). "Fiji bring element of surprise to Australias party". The Times. London. Retrieved 2010-05-23.
  2. Raj, Amit (2008-11-06). "So close". Fiji Times Online. Archived from the original on 2012-03-22. Retrieved 2013-02-20.
  3. http://www.fijirugbyleague.com/ Archived February 22, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
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