Fijians in Sydney, Again!

But “Where Is Their Hair?”

Wails Crowd

THE giant Fiji Rugby Union players had a film-star’s wel come when they arrived in Syd ney to commence their Australian tour on May 5. About 500 people were at Mascot to see them, and another large crowd gathered out side their hotel in Park Street.

There were gasps of; “They are bigger than ever!” when the men left the plane to cross the tarmac to go through Customs. But there was keen disappointment that all the men now have short hair. The “big hair” of several members of the 1952 team that toured the Eastern States, was regarded with awe and admiration by Australian fans.

However, popular Joe Levula was with the side, and received a con tinuous stream of greetings and

applause from the crowd.

Fifteen of the pre sent players were with the 1952 tour.

This time they will stay longer and play in four States —l7 matches in all —in NSW, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia.

Team manager is Mr. W. E. Goodsir and Government rep resentative and coach is Ratu George Cakobau. All were sorry to hear that Sydney had had a very dry Autumn and that the local playing fields were very hard.

They explained that Fiji had had some very wet weather of late and that the players had got used to playing in muddy conditions.

The Fijians’ first match is against South Sydney a t North Sydney Oval on May 8. Their team probably will he: Backs: Tanjela, Ranavue, Joe Levula, George Cavalevu Tudrau Buimaiwai, Orisi Dawai, Petero Quaqua, Suli a s o Vatabua.

Lalaibure, Semesa Serevatu, Ana- Tuitavua (Capt.), joeii Susu, In their first two days in Sydney they were tendered a civic reception by the Mayor of North Sydney, ,° xrcrnt7- W eleorne by the Australian

T?ocato™ 5y

the Lord Mayor of S ydney. P Mr. W. H. Gwyn, of the London shipping firm of Bethell Gwyn and Co., is visiting Suva. Bethell Gwyn & Co. have been associated with shipping to Fiji for 74 years. The first of their vessels to visit the Colony was the wooden barque Robert Mine, of 327 tons net. She sailed from London on October 1, 1881, and arrived at Levuka on March 22, 1882. Bethell Gwyn and Co. are now responsible for the London-Suva Direct Line Service by which most of the Colony’s goods from the United Kingdom are carried.

Some of the Fijians soon after they had landed at Mascot, Sydney. —Block by courtesy of “Sydney Morning Herald.”