Disgruntled fan swears at team at airport March 09, 2009
The Digicel Fiji 7s team to the Sevens Rugby World Cup in Dubai over the weekend arrived to a rude greeting at the Nadi International Airport this morning when disgruntled fans verbally abused and swore at them.
While close family and friends awaited the arrival of the Iliesa Tanivula-coached side 8:10am, a party of unhappy fans’ were also waiting.
Airport security had to step in and hold back a disgruntled fan that swore at the team and lashed out at some of the team officials.
Tanivula confirmed no one was hurt or reacted to the incident.
“I told the boys to expect something like this.”
“It was shocking to have been sworn at especially the players but it’s what we should expect.”
Tanivula said their loss to Kenya was disappointing but he was ready to put that behind him and raise the standard of 7s rugby in the upcoming Hong Kong 7s.
“It was disappointing, we let ourselves down and I know the people of Fiji as well,” Tanivula said.
“We committed a lot of mistakes, I’ve been going over the games in my head and it really is disappointing.”
“I wish I could offer Fiji an explanation but I can’t, we failed to win and that’s that.”
The team was hosted by the Narewa village for lunch before they left to their respective homes.
Tanivula said they would give members of the team a couple of days off before they march into camp to prepare for the Hong Kong 7s. Fijilive
Truesup!Before the 7sW.C there was a quote in the papers from TABUA EVERY DAY.Big flops at the W.C and not a word from Mr T.I wonder why?????I O VUNI TIKO!
Posted by: Anish Chand
Finland | Mar 09, 2009 | 01:03:42 PM
hopeless man !!!!
Tabua has spoilt the game of sevens...he should be chased out of FRU.
Tani is a 15's coach & NOT 7's. appreciate if he acceps this and steps down.
FRU officials and these above people have eaten the game of 7's
!!!....S H A M E O N T H E M...!!!
Posted by: atunaisa laqeretabua
United Arab Emirates | Mar 09, 2009 | 12:37:13 AM
Tanivula said that he will raise the level of play for hong kong. how in the world can you raise the level when you can't even get pass the quater finals ever since he has been a coach??????????????
the only way for fiji team is up and that is not raising anything.
as far as the team, it was rude for the public to swear at them. they did the best they can given the fact they were not utilize properly by the coaches
Posted by: nirajan raj
Netherlands Antilles | Mar 09, 2009 | 01:33:24 AM
Why not. What a pathetic performance by the Fiji team. Losing to a team like Kenya in the quaters, it just doesnt siut a team like Fiji, which were to be the favourites of the tournment. Smaller teams like Zimbabwe, Hong Kong played a better game than Fiji. What was the F.R.U thinking in to bringing such a star team that would lose their title. If the sevens master WAISELE SEREVI was in the team than this surely would not have happened.I urge the F.R.U, and I bet the people will agree with me that they should reconsider SEREVI back as the coach and allowing WILLIAM RYDER to be back in the team. No one would have ever dreamt that fiji would lose its title so easily. Pathetic.
Posted by: tupeni laulau
Finland | Mar 09, 2009 | 08:54:00 AM
This is shameful for many reasons. The country is going through political instability and this is the time when people should get together and support each other. To take the time to swear at people who represent the country is appauling. Win or lose, these players are the only ones who are painting a good picture of Fiji. And for rugby fans, please wake up and get rid of this sevens addiction. It is only a huge appeal in Fiji and nowhere else. Focus more on real rugby (the 15's) and other sports as well.
Posted by: LUKE NAMADILA
Ukraine | Mar 09, 2009 | 09:45:38 AM
Yeah, n what...win the Series and we expected???? nyeah rite
Posted by: fariza yatika
Finland | Mar 09, 2009 | 01:41:57 PM
i think that should not have happened.....when they win we celebrate....but when they loose should hold our pride that we did win the world cup twice.....
shame on the people at the airport who swore at the players and coach.......
we are disappointed but we still have love for the Fiji team.....
Posted by: esira kula
Finland | Mar 09, 2009 | 03:38:42 PM
do pple realise that someone is quietly trying to hide behind the scene.... all the officials r being interviewed but not him... he is the root of our rugby downfall.. Sack Tabua!!!!Tanivula for 15's coach and Serevi for 7s...
Posted by: solomoni Rorovanua
Finland | Mar 09, 2009 | 09:40:10 PM
tanivula said that kenya won because they wanted the win more than us, then what was your pupose of going into the world cup, was only a holiday trip. the whole of Fiji wants you and Tabua to stay away from the 7s team and concentrate on the 15s because the 7s was doing well before you came in to bring its standards down. its so shamefull and the boys had to pay and get sworn at because of your decisions
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