May Play

Fiji Football Team

In Sydney In 1950

The Fijians are in danger of be coming as famous in the world of Rugby football as their cousins the Maoris. It is proposed to send a Fiji Fifteen to Australia, next winter. The following is from “Sydney Morning Herald” of June 6: — NEXT season is likely to be a busy one for Australian Rugby Union. A Fijian team may come here in the early portion of the 1950 season. Later, the British side will play in Australia.

News has been received by the NSW Rugby Union that a representative of the Fijian Union is coming to Australia to negotiate for a tour by a Fijian team. The chairman of the Union’s management committee, Mr. F. Herlihy, hopes arrange ments can be made for the Fijians to ar rive early next season.

Nine of the Maori players now touring Australia were in Fiji with an official team last year. The standard of play amazed them. In a six-match tour, they were beaten by Fiji, 9-8, at Suva, and drew with Suva-Rewa, 3-3. The Maoris won the other matches, including a test, at Suva.

Last year’s Fijian team held the Maoris in hard rucking, and provided fireworks with their big fast backs.

If it is not possible to fit a Fijian tour into next season’s programme, it probably will take place in 1951. A tour in that year would assist the Australian selectors in choosing the team for South Africa.