Episode 4: Fiji: Politics, Performance, and Power

The Fiji team clasp hands and bow their heads inprayer prior to a match Photo: RNZ

Fijian rugby is in much better shape than their competitive cousins in Tonga and Samoa. Why is that? 

Simon Raiwalui, former captain of the Flying Fijians and current head of Fiji’s High Performance Program, holds some of the answers. With his deep knowledge of the European club rugby scene and World Rugby politics, he can see a positive future.

‘’If we get the same table laid out for us as every other nation, I think we can compete with any nation in the world. I believe that wholeheartedly.’’

Fiji captain Simon Raiwalui leads his team out for the IRB Pacific 5 Nations rugby match against the Junior All Blacks at Post Fiji Stadium, Suva, Fiji on Saturday 3 June, 2006. The Junior All Blacks won the match 37 - 15. 030606 Photo: Hannah Johnston

But inside World Rugby, vast disparities exist between the nations, as World Rugby council member for Oceania, Cathy Wong explains:

 “You have some countries that have three votes, and some countries have one vote. Some countries have no vote…. When will that change? How will it change?” 

Fiji's Nemani Nagusa makes a break to score in the match V USA during the Hertz Wellington Rugby Sevens - Day 2, 2 February 2013 Photo: Grant Down / photosport.co.nz Photo: Grant Down

Available from February 9^th on Apple podcasts, iHeart, Spotify, PMN and at RNZ.co.nz.

Fair Game: Pacific Rugby Against the World is made with the support of New Zealand on Air.

Written and produced by James Nokise, Talei Anderson and John Daniell for Bird of Paradise Productions, Radio New Zealand and Pacific Media Network

Language programme director - Matt Tufuga

Executive producers for RNZ - Justin Gregory, Katy Gosset and Tim Watkin

Sound engineers - Rangi Powick, Alex Harmer and Jeremy Ansell for RNZ, Harrison Edwards at PMN

Music and sound design - Anonymouz (Faiumu Matthew Salapu)

Visuals: Manatoa Productions, Anonymouz and Krista Barnaby (RNZ)

Additional reporting by Lice Movono

Additional sound recorded by Rudy Bartley at WT Media in Samoa

Special thanks to Don Mann, Lui Vilisoni, Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson, Jodhi Hoani, Josie Campbell,

Elijah Fa’afiu and Inangaro Vakaafi

RNZ Commissioning - Jodhi Hoani, Tim Burnell

RNZ Acting Head of Content - Veronica Schmidt

RNZ Interim Chief Content Officer - Megan Whelan