The BARLA Lions, who are midway through their tour of Fiji, were valued guests of the Saunaka Village, near Nadi, writes Dave Parkinson.
The squad was taken around the village by the Chief who introduced us to an area known as `Rochdale’ in honour of their famous son Apisai Toga, who played for Rochdale Hornets in the mid-1960s and who spoke fondly of the town before a stint in Australia with St George Dragons.
The Lions then paid their respects at his graveside before being shown the church, school, kindergarten and the local rugby team’s playing area and gymnasium.
The Lions made new friends along the way with local children being gifted with rugby badges.