Keith989 Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 3 minutes ago, Cumbrian Mackem said: Union is currently the dominant code in Fiji as 7’s falls under the union umbrella. Okay neither the 15 man or 13 man game could be dominant then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rocket Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 9 minutes ago, Cumbrian Mackem said: although Fiji winning the Union World Cup would be absolutely huge. Certainly huge in Fiji. Personally I wouldn`t mind if they did because it would be a fairly good indication that onion was going down the gurgler in a lot of other countries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddie Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 11 minutes ago, Sir Kevin Sinfield said: Long term I agree you’ve got to think Tonga are going to get weaker, but right now Tonga have an absolute phenomenal team, really looking forward to seeing them in the World Cup this year. Why do you think Tonga will get weaker? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cumbrian Mackem Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 12 minutes ago, Keith989 said: Okay neither the 15 man or 13 man game could be dominant then. Maybe but union is still #1 which ever way you slice it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cumbrian Mackem Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 21 minutes ago, Eddie said: Why do you think Tonga will get weaker? Depends how long the best players declare themselves for Tonga over Australia and NZ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommygilf Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 25 minutes ago, Cumbrian Mackem said: Depends how long the best players declare themselves for Tonga over Australia and NZ. Which depends on migratory changes etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damien Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 The question is is RL stronger in Fiji than it was a decade or so ago. Unquestionably. It is far stronger than the 90s when it was practically non-existent. It will get stronger still with the Silktails. The same goes for Tonga, they have come a huge way both internationally and domestically in less than a decade. The game has got even stronger and more professional in PNG with the advent of the Hunters. The same also goes for the NRL and Australia now with the aftermath of the Super League wars and News Corp involvement/ownership of the game now a distant memory. RL is looking pretty damn good in Australasia and is growing whilst others like RU are declining. That only bodes well for RL in Fiji. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cumbrian Mackem Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 2 minutes ago, Damien said: The question is is RL stronger in Fiji than it was a decade or so ago. Unquestionably. It is far stronger than the 90s when it was practically non-existent. It will get stronger still with the Silktails. The same goes for Tonga, they have come a huge way both internationally and domestically in less than a decade. The game has got even stronger and more professional in PNG with the advent of the Hunters. The same also goes for the NRL and Australia now with the aftermath of the Super League wars and News Corp involvement/ownership of the game now a distant memory. RL is looking pretty damn good in Australasia and is growing whilst others like RU are declining. That only bodes well for RL in Fiji. Agree with this 100%. hopefully the NRL will expand to 17 teams in the next 5 years and then 18 by 2030 giving more opportunities for Pacific Islanders to secure an NRL contract. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The storm Posted February 28, 2021 Author Share Posted February 28, 2021 4 hours ago, Keith989 said: Neither union or league could have had complete domination in Fiji. 7s is still king and their 2 world series and olympic gold medal in the last 5 years will ensure that continues for decades to come. It is what it is, there's no reason all forms of rugby can't have its place in Fiji. I love watching Fiji play in all forms of rugby, they are a joy to watch. 7s isn't really a sport as such. The NRL is now hifgly attractive options for young Fijian players The fact that Hull were able to showcase Ratu Naulanga is a testimony to our sport Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommygilf Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 1 hour ago, The storm said: 7s isn't really a sport as such. The NRL is now hifgly attractive options for young Fijian players The fact that Hull were able to showcase Ratu Naulanga is a testimony to our sport Sorry I must have been dreaming when I watched it at the olympics or in the world series on sky sports or played it at school Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damien Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 17 minutes ago, Tommygilf said: Sorry I must have been dreaming when I watched it at the olympics or in the world series on sky sports or played it at school Sounds like the stuff nightmares are made of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommygilf Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 1 hour ago, Damien said: Sounds like the stuff nightmares are made of. Tbf the team curry night away at Rosslyn Park was scary for whoever had to foot that bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The storm Posted February 28, 2021 Author Share Posted February 28, 2021 7 hours ago, Cumbrian Mackem said: Union is currently the dominant code in Fiji as 7’s falls under the union umbrella. Not for long pal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rocket Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 15 hours ago, Sir Kevin Sinfield said: Long term I agree you’ve got to think Tonga are going to get weaker, but right now Tonga have an absolute phenomenal team, really looking forward to seeing them in the World Cup this year. 15 hours ago, Eddie said: Why do you think Tonga will get weaker? Young demographic, 106 000 population and growing, you can guarantee they will have good participation rates, so if you want to talk about potential player numbers domestically, that`s the equivalent of a 300 000 city any where else, I expect Tonga to remain a force in both Mens and increasingly Women`s for a long time to come. Don`t be surprised to see some Fijian Silktails type scenario coming out of several Pacific Islands in the near future as the success of that venture is realised and copied by other NRL clubs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taniwha Warriors Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 13 hours ago, Keith989 said: Neither union or league could have had complete domination in Fiji. 7s is still king and their 2 world series and olympic gold medal in the last 5 years will ensure that continues for decades to come. It is what it is, there's no reason all forms of rugby can't have its place in Fiji. I love watching Fiji play in all forms of rugby, they are a joy to watch. Fiji's national 7 a side team has definitely been the most successful and consistent out of the two union code. Domestically 15 a side is by far the biggest in participation numbers, crowds, competitions and coverage compared to 7's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cumbrian Mackem Posted March 1, 2021 Share Posted March 1, 2021 5 hours ago, The storm said: Not for long pal I hope you’re right pal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cumbrian Mackem Posted March 1, 2021 Share Posted March 1, 2021 9 hours ago, The storm said: 7s isn't really a sport as such. The NRL is now hifgly attractive options for young Fijian players The fact that Hull were able to showcase Ratu Naulanga is a testimony to our sport 7’s is sandwiched in between darts and snooker in the great “is it really a sport” debate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taniwha Warriors Posted March 1, 2021 Share Posted March 1, 2021 1 minute ago, Cumbrian Mackem said: 7’s is sandwiched in between darts and snooker in the great “is it really a sport” debate. It's not a sport depends which side of the fence your sitting on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cumbrian Mackem Posted March 1, 2021 Share Posted March 1, 2021 1 minute ago, Taniwha Warriors said: It's not a sport depends which side of the fence your sitting on. It’s not a sport I would watch but it’s still a sport like 9’s, 5aside or Arena football etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Copa Posted March 1, 2021 Share Posted March 1, 2021 Union 7s is so popular Fiji produced a $7 note. No, I'm not kidding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Kevin Sinfield Posted March 1, 2021 Share Posted March 1, 2021 19 hours ago, Eddie said: Why do you think Tonga will get weaker? They are arguably the best team in the World right now, having beaten Australia, New Zealand and Great Britain, which is great for the International game but Tonga is a tiny Island Nation with a very small population. They have the best player in the World in Vaai (Jason) Taumalolo, do they have the conveyer belt of talent to replace the likes of Taumalolo when they retire? I don’t think so. And I say that without wanting to sound negative, we should embrace and enjoy the upsets Tonga can cause right now (well when they beat Australia and New Zealand not so much when they beat us) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cumbrian Mackem Posted March 7, 2021 Share Posted March 7, 2021 I wouldn’t be surprised if a handful of the silktails squad earn NRL contracts by the end of the year. This endeavour will quickly yield results and will see the number of Fijian born players playing in the NRL rise dramatically in the coming years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The storm Posted March 7, 2021 Author Share Posted March 7, 2021 On 28/02/2021 at 20:55, Taniwha Warriors said: Fiji's national 7 a side team has definitely been the most successful and consistent out of the two union code. Domestically 15 a side is by far the biggest in participation numbers, crowds, competitions and coverage compared to 7's. I feel union plays 7s bscause the 15 man code is regimented and not very appealing Our code does not need to downplay or simplify our sport as it is both fast and exciting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davo5 Posted March 7, 2021 Share Posted March 7, 2021 If only RL had an international calendar that could give Pacific nations like Fiji regular games,maybe then we could see them challenging Union’s dominance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Kevin Sinfield Posted March 7, 2021 Share Posted March 7, 2021 3 hours ago, Davo5 said: If only RL had an international calendar that could give Pacific nations like Fiji regular games,maybe then we could see them challenging Union’s dominance. The Oceania Cup should give them just that. It’s a start and an improvement on what we previously had. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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