The Fiji and Rochdale relationship
The Fijian pioneers October 1961
No other town can claim to be as closely linked to a nation’s rugby league history as Rochdale is to Fiji. Why is there such an affinity between a Lancashire mill town and an island nation in the South Pacific?
The story began in 1961 when Rochdale Hornets took the bold step to place an advert in a Fijian newspaper to recruit players to travel half way across the globe to play for them.
The advert brought several responses and the first two Fijian pioneers came to Rochdale on the October 13, 1961. Orisi Dawai and Joe Levula, both from Nadi, made their first appearance for Rochdale Hornets on October 21, playing for the reserves in front of over 2000 fans.
Their first team debuts were to come a few weeks later on November 11.
Michael Ratu Sr (who signed for Hornets in 1965) gave an interview to the Fijian Times in 2008 to explain the background to how Rochdale became such a popular destination for Fijian players; “I can remember the paramount chief of Fiji, in his days he did not allow any Fijians to leave Fiji – they could get educated somewhere else, but they had to return. He believed that Fijians belong to Fiji. When he passed away in 1958, it opened the doors for people to leave.”
Barefoot myths October 1961
It seems that the first Fijians to play for Rochdale Hornets enjoyed training in their bare feet if this picture is to be believed. Also on page 11 of his 1971 ‘A Centenary History’, Bob Fletcher writes “In their first run out Dawai and Levula kicked at goal in their bare feet.”
Various stories have since surrounded this preference including claims it was all a canny publicity stunt and the idea they had to have boots made to measure to accommodate their large feet. Perhaps we will never be sure of the truth behind the legend.
A Fijian superstar February 15, 1964
In 1964 came the Fijian jewel in the Hornets’ crown, with the signing of another Nadi rugby star, second row forward Apisai Toga (pronounced ‘Tonga’). The big Fijian’s reputation spread internationally and he was lured downunder to play for the all-conquering Australian St George side, for a bumper £2000 transfer fee.
‘Api’ made his debut on 15/2/1964 v Workington Town at home.
Born in Nadi, Fiji he signed for Hornets in 1964, going on to play in Hornets’ 16-5 defeat by Warrington in the 1965 Lancashire Cup final at Knowsley Rd — by which time he’d pretty much terrorised the game in England with his pace, power and sheer style.
His reputation reached as far as the all conquering St George club in Sydney and — for a huge £2000 transfer fee — in 1968, he became the first Fijian to play in the NSWRL competition.
He was joined there by brother, Inosi in 1969 — the Toga boys were employed at the St George Leagues club as ‘painters’, a job that fitted conveniently around their training schedules.
In 1973 Apisai contracted Tetanus poisoning after cutting his foot whilst diving - and on January 27, 1973 he collapsed in pre-season training at Carss Park, in Kogarah, passing away later the same day at St. George Hospital.
Voted into the Hornets all-time XIII, he was described by Hornets fans as: “Great player and a gentleman” “A true rugby league hero” “Massive in every sense — a genuine international-class player”
Putting down roots September 16, 1965
In 1965 Hornets made the most influential signing in terms of establishing permanent links between Rochdale and Fiji, as Mike Ratu joined the Club via the British Army.
Mike married a local girl and they lived in the town. His sons and grandson have also gone on to play professional rugby league. Emon emulated his father and played for Hornets as well as Swinton and his grandson, Mike, became the third-generation Ratu to pull on a Rochdale jersey when he signed for the 2013 season.
Other Fijians to sign for Hornets in the 1960s were Burogolevu and Dolo. Into the 1970s the signings lessened with John Kucuve being one of the last to come to Rochdale. But by then, the link had been made.
The relationship continues today and Fijians remain part of Rochdale’s rugby league DNA.
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