Fiji national rugby union team

The Fiji National rugby union team is a member of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance (PIRA) along with Samoa and Tonga.

Related Topics:
Samoa - Tonga

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The cibi (pronounced IPA:) war dance is performed by the Fiji rugby team before each Test match. It has been used on the rugby field since 1939, though its origins date back to the country's warring times with its Pacific neighbours.

Related Topics:
Cibi - IPA - Fiji - Pacific

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Fiji is one of the few countries where rugby union is the main sport. There are approximately 80,000 registered players from a total population of around 950,000. One of the problems for Fiji is simply getting their players to play for the country as many have contracts in Europe or with Super 14 teams where the money is far more rewarding. The repatriated salaries of its overseas stars have become an important part of some local economies. In addition a significant number of players eligible to play for Fiji end up representing Australia or New Zealand; two notable examples are the Fiji-born, but New Zealand-raised, cousins and All Blacks Joe Rokocoko and Sitiveni Sivivatu.

Related Topics:
Rugby union - Europe - Super 14 - Australia - New Zealand - Joe Rokocoko - Sitiveni Sivivatu

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Fiji were awarded 'second tier' status by the IRB which entitles them to funding from the IRB. The FRU have planned to build a High Performance Unit on Denaru Island near Nadi intended to house 50 top local players all year round. There are also plans to build a 20,000 seater stadia. However the funding for this has yet to be agreed and Fiji's economy is unlikely to be able to sustain the running costs.

Related Topics:
IRB - Nadi

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The Colonial National Bank sponsor Fiji's first professional league.

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