Fijian soldiers out in NZ, OK in UK
New Zealand is restating the five-year ban on Fijians with military ties from going to New Zealand for the World Cup at a time when soldiers with Fijian ties were winning accolades playing ruby in the UK. There is some sort of rugby irony here.
The New Zealand ban on soldiers dates back to 2006 when a military coup ended ‘democracy’ in Fiji. Fiji are allowed to send a team to the World Cup in New Zealand but not with players connected to the military or to government.
But last Saturday, before 63 000 spectators at Twickenham the British Army became the Inter-Services champions when they walloped the Royal Navy 44-10. In that team there were nine Fijian soldiers – Fijians but soldiers in the British Army.
The nine Fijians were flanks Ifereimi Boladau of the Royal Artillery and the former captain of Fiji Apolosi Satala of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, No.8 Joe Kava of the Royal Logisitic Corps, flyhalf Jack Prasad of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, centre Peceli Nacamavuto of the Royal Engineers and wings Gus Qasevakatini and Ben Seruboth of the Royal Engineers plus from the bench Malakai Magnus of the Royal Logistic Corps and Makulusio Koroiyadi of the Royal Engineers.
The Army scored seven tries – all by Fijians. Seru’s hat-trick follows his hat-trick against the Royal Air Force.
Boladau was named Man of the Match and Satala the Army’s Player of the season.
