How rugby league started in Fiji
IN 1992, a team of rugby union players took a leap of faith to go and compete in the Nissan World Sevens in Australia – little did they know that their humble rugby journey would somehow propel Fiji to adopt a new sport – rugby league.
Today rugby league is considered one of the most adored sports in Fiji, leveled with 7s rugby and 15s rugby.
Last month, former rugby league greats alongside the Vodafone Fiji Bati players gathered in Suva for the Fiji National Rugby League 30 Years Anniversary Commemorative Awards and celebration dinner.
The event was to commemorate the 30 years of existence of the beloved sport and pioneer players who were present during the event.
The pioneer players that were present included rugby greats, Alifereti Dere, Livai Nalagilagi,
Joe Dakuitoga and Niko Baleiverata.
After the birth of rugby league in Fiji, it continues to grow – developing skills and talents of many rugby league players who wish to take on the field.
The sport also continues to pave the way forward for future players who will one day don the jersey and make a name for themselves in the world of rugby league.
Speaking at the commemoration event, Culden Kamea shared about the birth of the sport and how the initial idea to introduce rugby league had come to him.
Dubbed the father of rugby league in Fiji Kamea said the thoughts of rugby league being introduced to Fiji had come to him during one of his nights out at Traps Nightclub in Suva.
"I was a rugby commentator for Radio Fiji and followed the Fiji 7s team very closely all around the world," Mr Kamea said.
"In those days we did not have the HSBC
Sevens Series, so we would go to this weird places to play sevens rugby when we got invited. "And the one that cemented the start of rugby league was the Sicily 7s in Italy. The Italian rugby league wanted to promote rugby.
"We were staying in villas like the ones in Pacific Harbour. "I had shared a room with Noa Nadruku. He was complaining about the low allowance the Fiji Rugby Union paid in those days and how he wanted to make more.
"When we came back I saw the Nissan World Sevens Rugby League in Sydney.
"They have been watching how brilliant Hong Kong 7s was and the Australian Rugby league wanted to replicate.
"So they started the Nissan World Sevens in Sydney in February 1992 with $100,000 prize money."
Alivereti Dere, Pauliasi Tabulutu, Noa Nadruku, and Niko Baleiverata, all Fiji sevens stars, were among the group. They were joined by Joe Dakuitoga, the current head coach of the Fiji Bati, Pio Nakubuwai, Eddie Waqa, Nemani Matirewa, Acura Niuqila and Livai Nalagilagi.
When the team returned home after winning the plate final, the Fiji Rugby Union handed them lifetime bans.
In contrast to rugby union, the sport developed, and in 1995 the team debuted at the Rugby League World Cup.
Fiji has appeared in three semi-finals since.
The years were 2008, 2013 and 2017. It also reached the quarter finals during their match against New Zealand at this year's Rugby League World Cup in England.
After its establishment in 1992, there has been much to reflect on especially the efforts and sacrifices made over the past 30 years to make Fiji Rugby League what it is today.