Exciting, refreshing, rugby, kudos to all who make it happen
The best is coming and rugby fans are in for a bumper 2018. It’s looking better and kudos to all our rugby stakeholders and administrators for making our national sport shining brighter.
Rugby has been on the go and there has been never a dull moment hitting the spotlight big time now and again.
As always sevens rugby continues to lead the way in making our day and popular in the world of rugby. The flow on and ripple effect from our gold medal win at the 2016 Rio Olympics is definitely taking a lead role in how sevens rugby is becoming more prominent now than ever.
Our Fiji Airways Fijian 7s victories in the World Sevens Series in Hamilton and Vancouver set the tone.
And the unveiling of Prince Charles Park as the venue for Fiji to host a leg of the World Sevens Series in 2020 was an even refreshing news.
We stand a good chance to edge out other contenders Germany and China when the decision is made by World Rugby in June.
Sevens has not only assisted World Rugby in promoting the game it also generates revenue for the host country.
The Hong Kong Government collected $HK48million from the rugby sevens last year and plans are in the pipeline to build one of the biggest stadiums in the world, worth $HK32billion, at the Kai Tak Sports Park to be completed by 2020.
The turnover from sports tourism through sevens rugby will definitely assist us and we applaud the Government in promoting sports tourism and leading the way.
Our Seremaia Tuwai-captained team has a chance to make history today by becoming the first team to win the Hong Kong Sevens for the fourth year in-arow
And next weekend, they again have a chance to win Fiji's first rugby gold at the Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast.
$800,000 For 15s
The 15s rugby season kicks off on Saturday with a lot to play for in the Vodafone Vanua Challenge and the Skipper Cup Premiership.
Mobile giant Vodafone pumped in $300K for the 16 teams in the Vanua Challenge while local company CJ Patel is sponsoring the Skipper Cup for a record $500K for the eight provincial districts.
The competition will be different and exciting with the inclusion of women to be part of the weekly challenge.
Not only is there more on offer as far as prizemoney is concerned, it will be the first time that managers, coaches, strength and conditioning personnel, medical providers and 40 players will be contracted. Therefore the onus is on our players to make our national sport exciting and refreshing.
Home Tests for Flying Fijians
Fans can look forward to tests in June at the ANZ Stadium against Romania (June 9), Georgia (June 16) and Tonga (June 23) as we prepare for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
Definitely there is never a dull moment and we can only thank those who make rugby more exciting.