Rugby union in Rotuma is a major sport.[1] Rotuma is a dependency of Fiji, although one with a distinctive culture and language more related to its neighbours in Tonga and Samoa.
The Fiji Rugby Football Union is the governing body of rugby union in Rotuma.
History
editRugby was introduced to Rotuma at the turn of the 20th century by sailors and New Zealand missionaries.
In 1910, a combined America Universities rugby team comprising mostly players from California, Stanford, and the University of Nevada went on a tour of Australia and New Zealand, as well as Fiji and Rotuma. The underdog American side upset both Rotorua RFC and Auckland RU, which came as a great surprise to the international rugby community.
Rugby Sevens has been a sport in the South Pacific Games since the late 1990s.
See also
edit- Jono Gibbes (maternal side), a New Zealand rugby union player.
- Graham Dewes, former Fiji rugby union player.[2]
- NRL player John Sutton.
- Gabriel Penjueli[3]
- Maka Kafoa[3]
- Freddy Kafoa[3]
- Chloe Butler
- Rebecca Tavo
- Nigel Simpson
- Rocky Khan
- Ravai Fatiaki, a Fiji rugby union player.
- Sarafu Fatiaki, former NRL player for the Penrith Panthers.
- Lee Roy Atalifo
External links
editReferences
edit- ^ Fatiaki, Anselmo Rotuma, hanuạ pumue p19 (1991, University of the South Pacific. Institute of Pacific Studies, ISBN 982-02-0035-0)
- ^ Rotuman Sports News from Bruce Tizard-Varcoe in England (30 September 2007)
- ^ a b c Wesley, Fred An island, rugby and hope Fijitimes Online (12 October 2006)