MARCH 2005
GO FIJI GO

Congratulations to Fiji for winning the World Cup 7’s over the weekend in Hong Kong, they downed the Kiwis in the final 29-19. To anyone who has travelled to Fiji they would know how important this win is to the country. It means so much to Fiji, I am sure not even the Kiwis would begrudge them the win. You really have to be in Fiji over the Hong Kong 7’s weekend to see how important it is. The whole country literally shuts down for the 3 days. As Kava delirium descends every game is telecast live and the whole country is watching on a TV somewhere.

In the mountains villagers carry TV’s and portable generators to the highest points so they can receive the telecast. The final would have kicked off at midnight on Sunday night Fiji time. I read with delight on the Fiji Times website the scenes of street parties in the capital Suva. One reveller got knocked over by a car and a lady in Nadroga died of an apparent heart attack with the excitement. Of course there will be a Public Holiday on Thursday to celebrate the win. I just got a text message from a friend in a village on the Nadi/Suva highway, they are preparing for the arrival of the team. A drive that will normally take 4 hrs will take the Fiji 7’s team 2 days as they stop at every village for a traditional welcome ceremony of Kava and presentation of Tabua (Whales Teeth).

If you read last years article on Fiji at the Hong Kong 7’s you will see a very different story from the scenes of delirium mentioned above. Wayne Pivac the Fiji XV’s coach sacked the 7’s coach and stepped in as the World Cup 7’s Coach about a month before Hong Kong. Pivac then very shrewdly brought in all the professional players from around the world such as Satala, Bobo and the king of course Waisale Serevi. Laulau last year’s 7’s coach had access to none of these players and as I mentioned was sacked because he had a team of amateurs competing against professionals. How much coaching Pivac would do of Serevi and the boys is your guess, my guess is zero. No one can coach the skills displayed by Serevi they are natural and inherent, completely uncoachable.

Singapore did not qualify for the World Cup 7’s you can read about it in a previous article titled disaster in Sri Lanka. We are busily preparing for our IRB Singapore 7’s on April 16th and 17th. Preparations are going well and Coach Tom Browne is hoping for a much better showing than in Sri Lanka last year. We are planning warm up games in Thailand and here in Singapore against our Barbarians Club. We look on track and the squad looks stronger than last year.

Super 12, seen none I am afraid, I did hear from someone that the Bulls game on the weekend was a nightmare to watch. A perfect cure for insomnia as it would put anyone to sleep. I see the Reds finally got a win, well done. I have had the knives out for them but first to congratulate them on a win. I actually follow the Super 12 from Bruce and Dave’s comments on my message board.

The Matt Williams saga in Scotland is a good laugh to follow, his quotes are great. He has really been talking it up in the press saying that like Steve Hansen (previous Wales Coach) he will prepare Scotland to win the 6 Nations. All the ex-Scottish players are calling for his sacking; it will be interesting to see when the axe finally does fall. Matt should have realised when coaching the Waratahs you can only talk it up for so long at some point you have to deliver.

Below is a great photo of Ossie and Doug in their Singapore Reds polo shirts. Ossie actually looks half fit, which is amazing because last time I saw him he looked like he had swallowed half a sheep, of course he may be sucking his gut in. A big hello to all the lads in Coff’s Harbour who are regular followers of Broadside. There is a big birthday party up there this weekend and Stormin Norman is doing the cooking. His last lovu at Christmas was a disaster and everyone went down with food poisoning, hopefully my Kai, Dan can help him out this time.

Email Matt Ryan at bubbaemu@hotmail.com