Rugby league in Fiji
CountryFiji
Governing bodyFiji National Rugby League
National team(s)Men's
Women's
Nickname(s)Rakavi saumi[1]
First played1992
National competitions
International competitions

Rugby league is a popular team sport played in Fiji since 1992.

History

Fiji's 1992 Rugby League
World Sevens squad
Niko Baleiverata
Alifereti Dere
Pio Kubuwai
Nemani Matirewa
Noa Nadruku
Livai Nalagilagi
Acura Niuqila
Jo Rabele
Pauliasi Tabulutu
Etuate Waqa
Manager: Culden Kamea

Joe Levula and Orisi Dawai were the first Fijians to play rugby league after they were recruited to play professionally for the Rochdale Hornets in 1961. Voate Driu and Laitia Ravouvou joined the club the next year, with numerous others following throughout the 1960s and 1970s. These players largely remained in Rochdale after their careers.[2][3][4]

In 1992, a number of high-profile Fijian rugby union representatives converted to rugby league and entered the Rugby League World Sevens, for which they received lifetime bans from the Fiji Rugby Union.[5] Under the guidance of Bob Abbott (from the Australian Rugby League), a six-team rugby league competition was established in Fiji later that same year.[6] The competition used match payments to attract players from rugby union, with FJ$40 (AU$38) offered per win and FJ$10 per loss.[7][8] The sport was supported by Sitiveni Rabuka, who served as President of the Fiji Rugby League (FRL) during that period.[9]

The FRL aligned itself with the News Corp-backed Super League during the Super League war. Suva hosted the inaugural Super League World Nines in February 1996, which reportedly brought $1.3 million into the local economy. Under the Super League, the FRL grew from eight clubs with one team each to twelve clubs with two teams each. Abbott and the Australian Rugby League had meanwhile established a small competition in western Fiji.[10]

2001 was the last year in which payments were offered to rugby league players in Fiji.[11]

The first women's club rugby league match in the country was played on 26 March 2016, between Bemana and the Coastal Roos.[12][13][14]

In 2020, the Kaiviti Silktails entered the NSWRL's third tier Ron Massey Cup, with entry to the second tier New South Wales Cup guaranteed for 2021. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the plans were delayed by one year.[15] The team draws its players from Fiji's local competition.

Domestic Competitions

Teams in Australian Competitions

Ron Massey Cup

Colors Club Location Stadium Founded Joined*
Kaiviti Silktails Lautoka, Viti Levu, Fiji Churchill Park, Lautoka 2019 2020

Vodafone Cup

The Fiji National Rugby League runs the national domestic rugby league competition in Fiji. Known as the Vodafone Cup, the competition features 32 teams across two conferences, each with two zones. The competition was formed in 1998, and has been Fiji's top level rugby league competition ever since.

Teams

Eastern Conference Western Conference
Nasinu Zone Suva Zone Koicalevu Zone Navitilevu Zone
Cunningham Titans Fiji Navy Albatross Kainiyahawa Tigers BA Eagles
Davuilevu Knights Lami Steelers Laselese Cowboys Burenitu Cowboys
Kinoya Sea Eagles Lovoni Titans Nadi Eels Police Sharks White
Kolimakawa Bulldogs Nabua Broncos Navatulevu Warriors Namuaniwaqa Sea Eagles
Makoi Bulldogs Police Sharks Ravoravo Rabbitohs Namoli West Tigers
Mataivalu Serua Dragons Sabeto Roosters Saru Dragons
Nadera Panthers Suva City Storm West Coast Storms Yasawa Saints
Veiyasana Knights Topline Warriors
USP Raiders Vusu Raiders

The FNRL Vodafone Cup is the top club competition for men's rugby league in Fiji.

It was previously divided into two conferences (East and West). The number of conferences has increased as the competition has grown.

24 teams took part in the 2020 Vodafone Cup.[16] The 2022 season featured 30 teams.[17]

Premiers

FNRL Men's Vodafone Cup Grand Finals
YearChampionsScoreRunners-upVenueRef.
1992 Nabua Broncos ?
1993 Nadera Panthers ?
1994 Nadera Panthers ?
1995 Nadera Panthers ?
1996 Nadera Panthers ?
1997 Nadera Panthers ?
Coral Coast Cowboys ?
1998 Nadera Panthers ?
1999 Nausori Bulldogs ?
2000Lautoka Warriors ?
2001 Nadera Panthers ?
2002QVS Sharks ?
2003 Nadera Panthers ?
2004 Nadera Panthers ?
2005 Nadera Panthers ?
2006 Nadera Panthers ?
2007 Nadera Panthers28–11 Nabua BroncosHFC Bank Stadium, Suva
2008 Nadera Panthers14–12 Nabua BroncosHFC Bank Stadium, Suva
2009 ? ?
2010 Sabeto Roosters15–14 Saru DragonsHFC Bank Stadium, Suva[21]
2011 Nadera Panthers22–18 Namatakula TigersHFC Bank Stadium, Suva
2012 Makoi Bulldogs12–10 Sabeto RoostersHFC Bank Stadium, Suva
2013 Sabeto Roosters27–18 Saru DragonsChurchill Park, Lautoka
2014 Saru Dragons20–18 Makoi BulldogsChurchill Park, Lautoka
2015 Sabeto Roosters16–6 Nabua BroncosHFC Bank Stadium, Suva
2016 Police Sharks18–10 Burenitu CowboysPrince Charles Park, Nadi
2017 Sabeto Roosters12–8 Ravoravo RabbitohsPrince Charles Park, Nadi
2018 Ravoravo Rabbitohs16–14 Police SharksLawaqa Park, Sigatoka
2019 Ravoravo Rabbitohs22–10 Army BearsChurchill Park, Lautoka
2020 Police Sharks18–16* Coastline RoosAlbert Park, Suva
2021
Season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2022 Nadera Panthers16–10 Saru DragonsLawaqa Park, Sigatoka
FNRL Women's Vodafone Cup Grand Finals
YearChampionsScoreRunners-upVenueRef.
2022 Police Sharks32–16 Lami SteelersLawaqa Park, Sigatoka

An * indicates that the match was decided in extra time.

Inter-Zone Championship

The Inter-Zone Championship was created in 2016. The teams were made up of the strongest players from the Vodafone Cup. The men's and U20's competition was first held in 2016, while the women's competition was introduced in 2017.[35]

Each Zone plays each other over 5 weeks before semi finals and a final is played.

Men's Inter-Zone Championship Finals
YearChampionsScoreRunners-upVenueRef.
2016 Nadi Aviators38–30Suva EaglesRatu Cakobau Park, Nausori
2017 Nadi Aviators20–18 Nasinu TitansLawaqa Park, Sigatoka
Women's Inter-Zone Championship Finals
YearChampionsScoreRunners-upVenueRef.
2017 Lautoka Crusaders26–24Nodroga KnightsLawaqa Park, Sigatoka

Melanesian Club Championship

The Melanesian Club Championship has been contested by the Fijian champions (at either club or zone level) and the winner of Papua New Guinea's Digicel Cup since 2015.

DateFiji teamResultPNG teamVenueRef.
10 October 2015 Sabeto RoostersLost 2–42 Agmark GuriasSir John Guise Stadium, Port Moresby
18 February 2017 Nadi AviatorsLost 4–40 Lae Snax TigersLawaqa Park, Sigatoka
24 February 2018 Nadi AviatorsLost 22–38 Lae Snax TigersPNG Football Stadium, Port Moresby
29 February 2020 Ravoravo RabbitohsLost 8–32 Lae Snax TigersChurchill Park, Lautoka

Media coverage

As early as 1993, one Winfield Cup match was being broadcast on Fijian television per week.[7]

In 2016, the Fiji Times partnered with the FNRL to become the official newspaper of rugby league in the country.[43]

Beginning in 2018, two NRL matches are broadcast live on free-to-air television each weekend by FBC TV.[44]

National teams

The men's national team, known as the Bati, was formed in 1992 and have competed at 5 Rugby League World Cups (1995, 2000, 2008, 2013, and 2017). They achieved their best result as semi-finalists on three occasions, in 2008, 2013, and 2017.

The women's national team, known as the Bulikula, was reformed in 2018 and played a full international against Papua New Guinea the following year.

Notable players

This is a list of players from the domestic FNRL competition in Fiji who have played in a top-tier professional rugby league competition i.e. the NRL or the Super League.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Irvine, Christopher (15 November 2008). "Fiji bring element of surprise to Australia's party". The Times. Retrieved 23 May 2010.
  2. ↑ "Gentle giants who left big impression". Manchester Evening News. 13 August 2007. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  3. ↑ "Rochdale Welcomes Australian Fijians". Fiji Sun. 7 December 2008. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  4. ↑ Swettenham, Lee (18 October 2013). "Fantastic Fijian four created buzz of excitement at Rochdale Hornets". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  5. ↑ Sharma, Davendra (March 1992). "The World Rugby Sevens could have us hooked". Pacific Islands Monthly. Vol. 62, no. 3. p. 47. Retrieved 7 December 2021 – via Trove.
  6. ↑ Masters, Roy (4 February 1993). "One-eyed Fijians ready to give the Sevens a real shake". Sydney Morning Herald. p. 42 – via NewsBank.
  7. 1 2 "Fiji worried over losses to league". Canberra Times. 7 July 1993. p. 31. Retrieved 13 December 2021 – via Trove.
  8. ↑ "Pride to the fore as Fiji league comes of age". Canberra Times. 8 July 1994. p. 30. Retrieved 13 December 2021 – via Trove.
  9. ↑ "Arthurson endorsement for Rabuka". Canberra Times. 27 March 1992. p. 7. Retrieved 13 April 2021 – via Trove.
  10. ↑ Mascord, Steve (12 July 1996). "Problems in paradise". Sydney Morning Herald. p. 34 – via NewsBank.
  11. ↑ Rise With Us. 2013. Fiji One.
  12. ↑ Malo, Maciu (26 March 2016). "Rugby league history". Fiji Times. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  13. ↑ Cabenatabua, Leone (27 March 2016). "Watch St Theresa, Teams Warned". Fiji Sun. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  14. ↑ "Nadroga host first women's rugby league match in Fiji". asiapacificrl.com. 28 March 2016. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  15. ↑ McDonald, Margie (24 February 2021). "Fiji Silktails return to NSW rugby league". NRL.com. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  16. ↑ "Fiji's Vodafone Cup set to expand in 2021". asiapacificrl.com. 18 January 2021. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  17. ↑ League, Asia Pacific Rugby (2022-02-19). "Record number of teams to take part in Fiji Men's Vodafone Cup". Asia Pacific Rugby League. Retrieved 2023-02-14.
  18. ↑ Chand, Christopher (3 August 2008). "Panthers Target Another Record". Fiji Sun. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  19. ↑ Rabuku, Otilly (15 July 2007). "Hard work pays off for Panthers". Fiji Times.
  20. ↑ Tumoi, Imanueli (15 August 2008). "Nadera Wins Grand Final". Fiji Sun. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  21. ↑ Bola, Vuniwaqa (5 September 2010). "Sabeto Roosters 'Unpredictable'". Fiji Sun. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  22. ↑ Singh, Zanzeer (4 September 2014). "Roosters bank on experience". Fiji Times. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  23. ↑ Bola, Vuniwaqa (17 September 2011). "Panthers Reign Again". Fiji Sun. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  24. ↑ Bola, Vuniwaqa (16 September 2012). "Glory For The Bulldogs". Fiji Sun. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  25. ↑ Daucakacaka, Jale (24 August 2013). "Roosters deny Dragons". FBC News. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  26. ↑ Malo, Maciu (14 September 2014). "Dragons win FNRL Top 8 title". Fiji Times. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  27. ↑ Mannan, Justine (27 September 2015). "Vodafone Cup Goes Roosters' Way". Fiji Sun. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  28. ↑ "Fiji National Rugby League Grand Final Day Results". asiapacificrl.com. 24 September 2016. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  29. ↑ Tavaga, Meli (5 August 2017). "Sabeto wins Vodafone Cup". FBC News. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  30. ↑ "Ravoravo win 2018 Fiji Vodafone Cup". asiapacificrl.com. 25 June 2018. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  31. ↑ Naikaso, Filipe (10 August 2019). "Ravoravo Rabbitohs defend Vodafone Cup title". FBC News. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  32. ↑ Tavi, Karalaini (28 November 2020). "Police Shark crowned Vodafone Cup champions". FBC News. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  33. ↑ Tani, Karalaini (10 September 2021). "No Vodafone Cup this year". FBC News. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  34. 1 2 "Nadera Panthers End 11 Year Drought To Win Vodafone Cup". asiapacificrl.com. 11 September 2022. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  35. ↑ "Fiji Inter-Zone competition adds Women's League". asiapacificrl.com. 11 August 2017. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  36. ↑ Moresio, Stella (13 November 2016). "Aviators Challenge Residents". Fiji Sun. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  37. ↑ "Aviators successfully defend their title". asiapacificrl.com. 25 September 2017. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  38. ↑ "Lautoka Crusaders win inaugural Women's title". asiapacificrl.com. 25 September 2017. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  39. ↑ "Gurias win inaugural Melanesian Club Championship". asiapacificrl.com. 11 October 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  40. ↑ "Lae Tigers win 2017 Melanesian Club Championship". asiapacificrl.com. 18 February 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  41. ↑ "Tigers Retain Cup". Post Courier. 25 February 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  42. ↑ Naikaso, Filipe (29 February 2020). "Ravoravo Rabbitohs thrashed 32-8 by Lae Snax Tigers". FBC News. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  43. ↑ "Fiji National Rugby League announce partnership with Fiji Times". asiapacificrl.com. 28 June 2016. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  44. ↑ Tavaga, Meli (7 March 2018). "FBC TV to air NRL matches LIVE on free-to-air channel". FBC News. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  45. ↑ Bola, Vuniwaqa (2 December 2008). "Sisa Joins NRL Club". Fiji Sun. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  46. ↑ Komaisavai, Peni (2 August 2022). "Fiji local debuts in NRL". Pacific Advocate. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
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