Rugby union and rugby league in Fiji cast their differences aside last night to thank the people of Fiji for their support.
Fiji Rugby Union 7s coach Waisale Serevi and Fiji National Rugby League chairman Peni Musunamasi teamed up to pay tribute to the government and the people of Fiji for their unwavering support..
Serevi officially became the new Fiji 7s coach while Musunamasi and his administrators had a special religious service and meeting last night to salute the $100,000 Interim Government grant received yesterday.
“Foremost we thank the Lord because everything is possible through him,” Musunamasi and Serevi said.
“We also thank the people of Fiji for their support and their prayers. Thank you Fiji,” concluded Serevi after meeting the FRU last evening in Suva.
FRU deputy board chairman Mosese Nailumu confirmed that Serevi will be given a wholesale support in his contract until the end of the 2008-09 IRB 7s Series.
“Waisale Serevi has officially put pen on paper to be the Fiji 7s coach to the upcoming IRB 2008-09 7s Series,” the former Fiji rugby halfback added.
“Both parties arrived at an agreement and the FRU look forward to working with Serevi to move Fiji Rugby forward. We can now kick-off our preparation to the upcoming 7s Series and most importantly our preparation to the next World Cup.”
Serevi’s recruitment will send warning to Fiji’s oppositions especially New Zealand while Musunamasi has reassured Fiji that the Vodafone Fiji Bati will finish on top of the Rugby League World Cup in Australia in November.
“We have come a long way and we assure the nation that this money will not be wasted.”
FNRL major sponsor Vodafone, which has been supporting the sport since 2006 with sponsorships up to almost a million dollar per anum until next year, is grateful that the Interim Government has recognized the plight of the FNRL.
“We thank the government for teaming up with us in supporting rugby league. We have provided $200,000 for the RLWC apart from the talent identification programmes starting at grass roots level we had been doing in the past years. The Vodafone Fiji Bati has been boosted with government’s help,” Vodafone sponsorship manager Ligavatu Gukisuva said.
Serevi and the FNRL are expected to unveil plans for their forthcoming calendars today.
AFP
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comments on this story
kingkris510
Wednesday, September 10 2008
good times for fiji rugby is round the corner..!
djnicks01
Thursday, September 11 2008
Its good to know that the 7's mestro will be the coach for the Fiji team, and that he will be using the locally based players. But can it be guaranteed that they are the suitable for the team. As one of the die-hard fan of Fiji team, I would like to suggest that if Fiji really wants the title then the FRU should consider the following players William Ryder, Semisi Naevo, Iferemi Rawaqa, Villimoni Delasau, Sereli Naqelevuki, Sereli Bobo, Seru Rabeni, the "Satala Brothers", Mosese Volavola, Lepani Nabuliwaqa, Rupeni Caucau and forgetting the 7's maestro Waisele Serevi. These players are the ones that can bring the glory and successfully defend the world 7's title.
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