Magazine Section

Football Fever

By Rob Wright

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minds will never be known, but it is almost certain that the unusual sight of a seemingly crazy bunch of Europeans chasing one another around m the hot sun, kicking a native. lastinB It is possible that the requisite approach to the game raised that splnt of t . hf L c l . ase ’ t 0 which themselves (usually with a club or spear m hand). * A v , aU J ve ? ts ’ the fact th at they took to Rugby like ducks to water, was sufficient proof of their newfound mterest.

TJUGBY’S debut in Fiji coincided ■K with the erection of a building which has become one of the best-known hotels in the Pacific— th!re G L an a d SKS?

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the first Fijian fifteens, and it is due to their enthusiasm that today there are so many fine Fiiian players in the game r- , , , 5 . nS out run t anv has goiSf and hS hten renFariri hv the modem concern Rnvhv Playe“rSple C tT C^t t h°b f oots RUgby The periodical visits to New Zealand by footballers, cricketers, ?nd athletes, has given tremendous impetus to all branches of sport m the Colony, and the men selected gently -present FIJI ffi New go with the knowledge that they will learn much, and be able to pass 11 on to the many hundreds of their compatriots, thus perpetuating the T^wa^cTosen‘from 6 "" 1 *£ 195 J

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The selection of representatives P ade after a series of matches ? ad been Played between these two teams.

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tensive period of training begun This deluded blackboard demo*?strations, instructional movies of English Rugby, and field practice. the U men t’o^e^utfltted 1 wfth warm clothes and S"

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Rugby football, invented presumably to prevent the blood of our ancestors from congealing in Northern European winters, has been transplanted to the humid South Seas. It is played in most of the Island territories, but nowhere with such enthusiasm as in Fiji. At present, a representative Fijian 15 is touring New Zealand—a country which prides itself on producing some of the toughest Rugby footballers in history. Rob Wright, in story and picture, here tells us something of how Rugby came to the Fijians and how they now are taking it to the New Zealanders.

Pre-tour practice.

pushing along muddy bush tracks.

But every man was back in Suva at the specified time.

And when their tour begins, New Zealanders will see a class of Rugby which is perhaps a little unortho dox and not played entirely from text books.

But it will be played by men who love it for the sheer joy of being able to run, and pass, and kick a ball.

This is Rugby from under the palms.

Indian tailor (top photo) runs tape oyer team members preparatory to making warm outfits for the chilly South. Off the field, the players wear grey flannel sulu, black blazer and sandals. They were also issued with thick overcoats.

Many players do not wear shoes—and their broad feet presented some problems for the shoemakers (lower photo).