Down memory lane with the Pacific Islanders rugby team
A COMBINED Pacific Islanders dream of playing competitive rugby against big names — the All Blacks, Springboks and Wallabies materialised in 2004.
The Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance (PIRA) was formed in 2003, and its team, the Pacific Islanders, was drawn from Fiji, Tonga and Samoa, created so much interest on their tour.
Despite losing every game, 2914 v Australia, 41-26 v New Zealand and 38-24 v South Africa, the Pacific Islanders combined team was impressive in all three Tests as they played full strength teams.
The Islanders did, however, beat a Queensland XV 48-29 at Ballymore and NSW Waratahs 68-21 at Stadium Australia. After beating Queensland and Waratahs, fans looked up to the Islanders to create a shocker against Australia, but that did not eventuate.
Australia fielded a powerpacked team in Joe Roff, Clyde Rathbone, Stirling Mortlock, Matt Giteau, Lote Tuqiri, Stephen Larkham, George Gregan, David Lyons, Phil Waugh, Radike Samo, Nathan Sharpe, Justin Harrison, Al Baxter, Brendan Cannon and Bill Young, while Norman Ligairi, Lome Fa’atau, Seilala Mapusua, Seremaia Bai, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Tanner Vili, Moses Rauluni, Alifereti Doviverata, Sisa Koyamaibole, Sione Lauaki, Ifereimi Rawaqa, Inoke Afeaki, Taufa’ao Filise, Aleki Lutui and Soane Tonga’uiha donned the Islanders outfit.
Mortlock, Giteau and Cannon scored tries for Australia while Lauaki and Bobo were on the scoring sheet for the combined side.
Against the All Blacks at the North Harbour Stadium, the likes of the late Seru Rabeni, Lome Fa’atau, Brian Lima, Seremaia Bai, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Tanner Vili, Moses Rauluni, Sisa Koyamaibole, Alifereti Doviverata, Sione Lauaki, Ifereimi Rawaqa, Inoke Afeaki, Taufa’ao Filise, Aleki Lutui and Soane Tonga’uiha were chosen to fly our flag against stars like Mils Muliaina,
Rico Gear, Tana Umaga, Dan Carter, Joe Rokocoko, Carlos Spencer, Justin Marshall, Xavier Rush, Marty Holah, Jono Gibbes, Keith Robinson, Chris Jack, Carl Hayman, Keven Mealamu and Kees Meeuws.
Rokocoko, Gear, Marshall, Meeuws and Umaga were on the scoring chart for the All Blacks while Sivivatu, Lauaki and the late Rabeni scored for the Islanders.
Finally, at the Express Advocate Stadium in Australia, South Africa’s Percy Montgomery, Breyton Paulse, Marius Joubert, De Wet Barry, Jean de Villiers, the late Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Bolla Conradie, Jacques Cronje, AJ Venter, Schalk Burger, Gerrie Britz, Bakkies Botha, Eddie Andrews, John Smit and Os du Randt faced a resilient Islanders side in Norman Ligairi, Sireli Bobo, Seilala Mapusua, the late Seru Rabeni, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Tanner Vili, Moses Rauluni, Sisa Koyamaibole, Alifereti Doviverata, Sione Lauaki, Ifereimi Rawaqa, Inoke Afeaki, Tevita Taumoepeau, Aleki Lutui and Soane Tonga’uiha. Paulse, Cronje and Jean de Villiers scored tries for South Africa while Sivivatu,
Lauaki and Bobo crossed the opposition try-line.
The Pacific Islanders did not beat the Kings from the Tri-Nations competition, but the Punjas sponsored-side received accolades for playing their hearts out. Isa, those good old days!
Had we maintained the Pacific
Islanders team, imagine our strength in world rugby!