Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has lauded the performance of the Fiji Water Flying Fijians despite their 30-24 loss to England in a nail-biting Rugby World Cup quarterfinal in France yesterday.
After 16 years, Fiji reached the quarterfinal and Rabuka said there is no greater feeling than representing your country. He said the values of our culture emphasises respect, humility and communalism.
“I’m proud of our Flying Fijians who have risen to the occasion and have competed well at a fifteens Rugby World Cup not only to lift the standard of our game to tier one level but to transform the whole rugby system as we know it.”
Rabuka said he very well understands the commitment and sacrifices that Fiji and the Pacific athletes make when preparing for elite competitions and events.
“Many have perceived this to be detrimental to the Fijian players or the psyche, particularly as rugby coaching and refereeing is currently seen as more responsive to confrontational and domineering approaches on the field.”
“I’m certain that our success has come at the cost of a proud Wallabies but it has taken us 69 years for this remarkable achievement to arrive and it can only mean stronger and better competition between our teams for the benefit of our region and our sports people. We can only stand on your shoulders to achieve the unthinkable and dream the impossible.”
