<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ws4life @ Nov 10 2008, 03:40 PM)
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<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (amobokobokoboko @ Nov 11 2008, 03:27 AM)
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Congratz Fiji, their rugby was really great, just the way I like it.
Well done Ireland, but this Fiji was hard to take down.[/b]
bula mongoose and kinkon89
Was wondering, what is the reaction like in fiji after qualifying for the Semi Finals. Is it being taken seriously considering Union and 7s is the national game over there?
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answer: YES it is being taken seriously
Bro, you know how it's like in the islands, everyone will support which ever of our national team is doing well. If Fiji had a soccer, hockey or volleyball team doing this well, the entire nation will also get behind them. I heard the commentators saying the Fiji Government will pump more money into the development of League into schools etc, I think the Bati deserve it.
In Fiji there is no beef between League and Union, I do think League gets the cold shoulder a lot from our Government and sponsorship etc due to the popularity of Union, but the 2 codes in terms of admin/fans/players seem to get along.To be honest most Fijian locals hear about the rivalry between the codes outside Fiji and they just laugh. Players at every level jump from one code to another, you'll find some club players playing union this week and League 2 weeks from now.
Fans are proud of the team and what they have achieved so far, and it will bring interest to the sport in the local club competition and school League competition.
re: Rugby 7s/15s being the national sport
let me just put it this way, if Fiji was dominant in League like we have been in the past in 7s, you'll find a shift in support towards League. It's 15s rugby that is hard to break, fans I've seen in the past have fallen out of love with 7s, but, never 15s...I've noticed that many outside Fiji think 7s is our biggest sport, the truth is it isn't, it only gets support because they are the only one's winning tournaments on an international stage....so there is room for League.
