Rugby union in Rotuma

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Rugby union in Rotuma is a major sport.[1] Rotuma is a dependency of Fiji, although one with a distinctive culture and language more related to its neighbours in Tonga and Samoa.

The Fiji Rugby Football Union is the governing body of rugby union in Rotuma.

History[edit]

Rugby was introduced to Rotuma at the turn of the 20th century by sailors and New Zealand missionaries.

In 1910, a combined America Universities rugby team comprising mostly players from California, Stanford, and the University of Nevada went on a tour of Australia and New Zealand, as well as Fiji and Rotuma. The underdog American side upset both Rotorua RFC and Auckland RU, which came as a great surprise to the international rugby community.

Rugby Sevens has been a sport in the South Pacific Games since the late 1990s.

See also[edit]

External links[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Fatiaki, Anselmo Rotuma, hanuạ pumue p19 (1991, University of the South Pacific. Institute of Pacific Studies, ISBN 982-02-0035-0)
  2. ^ Rotuman Sports News from Bruce Tizard-Varcoe in England (30 September 2007)
  3. ^ a b c Wesley, Fred An island, rugby and hope Fijitimes Online (12 October 2006)