Fiji

[Marv]

It was a bloody good game, sorry I havent had time to come and compule a report for you guys.

[Marv]

Barrow have signed 3 Fijians from the touring party that played us in December. Alipate Noila, Sevania Koroi and Wasile Suka

www.nwemail.co.uk/raiders/news/1.386659

[Druzik]

excelent news... so that is NL1 yes... I mean Championship. Sweet!

I can see in the future Cumbris being very strong in that lower division at least... even if they dont have a SL spot (which I hope 1 day will happen)

[jim]

Jan 15, 2009 21:03:39 GMT 10 Marv said:

Barrow have signed 3 Fijians from the touring party that played us in December. Alipate Noila, Sevania Koroi and Wasile Suka

www.nwemail.co.uk/raiders/news/1.386659

3 very handy signings there Marv. From what I saw at the WC Noila and Suka could cut it in the NRL and would get FG time at a SL or NRL club, havn;t seen any of Koroi though.

[Marv]

Jan 16, 2009 21:49:53 GMT 10 jim said:

Jan 15, 2009 21:03:39 GMT 10 Marv said:

Barrow have signed 3 Fijians from the touring party that played us in December. Alipate Noila, Sevania Koroi and Wasile Suka

www.nwemail.co.uk/raiders/news/1.386659

3 very handy signings there Marv. From what I saw at the WC Noila and Suka could cut it in the NRL and would get FG time at a SL or NRL club, havn;t seen any of Koroi though.

Well mate time will tell, many many overseas players have come to barrow and they move on to better things be that SL or Australia. Im just gald of

1, these guys are getting a shot when it seems bigger clubs are still cagey about 2nd teir players

and 2, we get to see Test players at Barrow again

[Druzik]

www.fijilive.com/sports/rugby/news/2009/01/24/7493.Fijilive

Musunamasi quits Fiji rugby league

January 24, 2009

Fiji National Rugby League chairman Peni Musunamasi has resigned from his post citing work commitments.

Musunamasi has called it a day after successfully leading the Vodafone Fiji Bati to fourth finish in world ranking after its semifinal exit at the Rugby League World Cup,

“My work here is done,” he said.

“I am sad to go, rugby league has given me a new life but work has got really busy and I don’t want to chose between the two anymore.”

He said his priority in developing and lifting the profile of the sport in the country had been done and now it was up to someone else to carry on the baton.”

“The platform has been set, my successor will have to maintain this and continue lifting the sport in the country.”

“We wanted to give rugby, the national sport of Fiji a good run for its money and I believe we have managed to do this after the RLWC.”

He is expected to step down at the FNRL Annual General Meeting on February 7.

Meanwhile, Vodafone has extended their contract with rugby league until December.

Fijilive

[Druzik]

fijidailypost.com/news.php?section=3&fijidailynews=21262

26 teams confirmed for league tournament

6-Jan-2009 10:23 AM

TWENTY SIX teams have been confirmed for the Vodafone one-day Rugby League 7s tournament that will be held at the Suva Grammar School grounds later this month.

This was confirmed by Fiji National Rugby League Administration manager Rusiate Ratakele yesterday.

Ratakele confirmed that only 26 teams would be part taking in the tournament with Police being the only new club to enter the FNRL ranks.

Their involvement comes in the wake of their World Cup winning performance in Australia last year.

“The Police team is the only new club that has entered FNRL and they will be sending two teams,” he said.

While there have been very few people playing league fans can be assured that players that play rugby union will also be playing in the league competition especially in the off season as the Fiji Rugby Union has wiped out the Colonial Cup giving rugby union more life-time in a year.

The other teams will be provided by the 10 clubs that have already been registered with FNRL.

All clubs from the eastern and western division will be sending two teams each for the tournament except for a few.

“Kadar Buksh - Saru Dragons, Islands Electric Lautoka - Crushers and Dee Cees - Nadera Panthers are the only teams that will field three teams.”

Meanwhile, FNRL is still waiting for the International Rugby League Federation (IRLF) to open after the festive season.

“We are still waiting for the IRLF office to open sometimes this week so that we can get the rules for the 7s game,” Ratakele said.

“We need to get the rules because this is the same set of rules that will be used at the Mini Pacific Games.”

He added the selection criteria would not change and warned that players needed to be very good in three areas.

“Speed, general skills, and strong defence are the main key of rugby league and our
selection criteria will be based on that,” Ratakele said.

By ISAAC LAL

[Druzik]

I have to say, the country that has gained the most out of this world cup (appart from NZ) seems to be Fiji!

I know that there were some who didnt like the super group set up, but it allowed nations like fijij and Ireland to shine and llok what it has done.

I am loving what is happening out there. I hope that Samoa and Tonga as well as the Cook is, niue, Tovalau and Tokelau see some of this positives as well.

[kiwis]

im pleased to hear some of the guys picked up contracts got to be good for the players and countries

[lvnknights]

Totally agree with you kiwis..The Fijians look to have a bright future in RL.Hope they reach goals.

[Druzik]

www.fijilive.com/sports/rugby/news/2009/02/10/7797.Fijilive

Kaloumaira envisages Fiji league success
February 10, 2009

Fiji National Rugby League new chairman, Moape Kaloumaira has promised to improve the ranking of the Fiji Bati team in international circuit.

Kaloumaira said his predecessor had left big shoes to fill after Peni Musunamasi led the Vodafone-sponsored side rose to fourth place in world ranking after last year’s Rugby League World Cup in Australia.
“It’s a huge challenge fitting into the shoes left behind by Musunamasi. He did a marvelous job taking the Fiji Bati team to a top four finish.”
“We need to maintain and move forward from this. FNRL is now in a place recognized by the world and now my responsibility is to improve that,” he said.
Kaloumaira who hails from Motoriki in Lomaiviti was the Fiji Bati assistant manager to the RLWC last year.
“It will be very important to maintain the performance of rugby league in the country.”
Kaloumaira was deputy chairman in 2008 during Musunamasi’s reign.

Tomi Finau, 2007 Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee’s Sports Volunteer of the Year, is the deputy chairman.

Chairman and Treasurer: Moape Kaloumaira, Deputy Chairman: Tomi Finau, Secretary: Lima Matatolu. Board members: Mesake Navugona, Tuiloma Dakuitoga, Malakai Tuiloa Senior, Ana Tuiketei, Timoci Vatubuli, Rusi Ratakele, Aminisitai Seru. Patron Life Member: Rajesh Singh

[Druzik]

www.fijilive.com/sports/rugby/news/2009/02/18/7949.Fijilive

Fiji students in big league
February 18, 2009

The inclusion of new teams in the Fiji Secondary schools rugby league championship has made an impact on the competition level.

Fiji National Rugby League administrator Rusiate Ratakele is predicting a bigger and better event this year after the competition started on a high note last Saturday.

He added the secondary schools competition has contributed a lot to the development of the sport and there is high expectation that more talents would be identified during the competition.

“The first round of competition between the schools was tough,” Ratakele said.

“This is just the beginning of the secondary schools competition and we’re looking forward to seeing how the competition goes at the elimination stages. We’re fortunate to have another two schools join the pilot schools and their inclusion has brought in a lot of competition.”

Debutants Queen Victoria School and Ratu Kadavulevu made an impressive start to their campaign and are expected to give Laucala Bay Secondary, Lelean Memorial, Nasinu Secondary, Suva Grammar and Nabua Secondary School a good run for their money.

Meanwhile, the secondary schools competition was opened by Australian-based Jarryd Haynes who came to Fiji to celebrate his birthday last Saturday.

[Druzik]

www.barla.org.uk/News/Details.asp?id=1836

Saturday February 21st 2009
BARLA GREAT BRITAIN SQUAD FOR BARLA UNISON 2009 SOUTH PACIFIC TOUR NAMED

BARLA International Manager Mick Turner as announced the BARLA Great Britain squad for the BARLA Unison 2009 South Pacific Tour this June. He has named a twenty eight man touring squad as well as a six man stand bye squad.

On the squad being announced BARLA Great Britain Head Coach John Fieldhouse said,

“We’re all looking forward to this fantastic opportunity to represent our country where we will be visiting some great destinations, all with a very good reputation as rugby playing nations.

“To be quite honest I don’t know the level of teams that we will meet in the South Pacific, whether they’ll be playing their world cup players or not, but I expect that we will be meeting some tough sides and we’ll be well prepared for that.

“I’m very happy with the content of the squad; it contains some very elusive backs with pace and a large set of strong forwards who I will be looking to for a physical dominance.

“I’ll be looking for our lads to front up both mentally and physically and obviously we’ll be doing lots of physical and mental preparation in the months leading up to the tour.

“I’ll be looking to return from this tour as we did from South Africa in 2006, as an unbeaten side.”

Assistant International Manager John Jefferson said,

“With the nations we will be meeting, I see this as a very challenging tour.

“Looking at our squad, we have some very experienced players and a lot of them have progressed through the under 21’s and 23’s which is extremely pleasing.

“On the management and coaching side of things, there are bags of experience. Both the coaches, John Fieldhouse and Gary Charlton possess loads of professional experience and International Manager Mick Turner has plenty of touring experience which all add up to a successful outcome of this venture.”

The Squad to Tour 2009

1. Ryan Fieldhouse - Leigh East
2. Carl Booth - Myton Warriors
3. Lee Maskill. Sharlston Rovers
4. Andy Dobson. Thatto Heath Crusaders
5. Chris Walker. Oulton Raiders
6. Lee Gudor. Siddal
7. John McMullen. Wigan St Judes
8. Martin Riley. Wigan St Judes
9. Gary Weymes. East Hull
10. Trevor Penrose. Skirlaugh
11. Simon Stevens. Leigh East
12. Luke Varley. Castleford Panthers
13. Lee Waterman. Skirlaugh
14. Danny Ulyatt. Hull Dockers
15. Gary Phillips. Wigan St Pats
16. Richard George. Seaton Rangers
17. Dean Balmer Leigh Miners Rangers
18. Scott Lofthouse. Kells
19. Arron Bradley. Hull Dockers
20. Brett Waller. Skirlaugh
21. Ben Kendall. Thornhill Trojans
22 Leon Brennan Leigh Miners Rangers
23 Tom Sibbley Millom
24 Richard Farrer Egremont Rangers
25 James Craven Thornhill Trojans
26 Sam Radford West Hull
27 Johnny Walker Leigh East
28 Tony Suffolk Wigan St Pats
Stand Bye Squad
Tom Hill York Acorn
Lee Edwards Barrow Island
Aaron Fewless Myton Warriors
Craig Wilson Millom
Steve Ilingworth West Bowling
Richard Cattley Stanley Rangers
Mick Turner International Manager
John Jefferson Assistant Manager
Mick Fishwick Team Manager
John Fieldhouse Coach
Gary Charlton Assistant Coach
Dennise Sunaman Physio
Steve Manning PRO
Steve Manning
BARLA PRO & Media Manager

-----------------------------------

A few Familiar names in there for me. Now that is a tour I'd love to see... the Fijians better HTFU as the BARLA boys like a bit of Biff!

[Druzik]

www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=1-3653-0-0-0&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=7569306

A NEW ROLE FOR RUGBY LEAGUE MAN

Rusiate Ratakele has been appointed a General Manager for the upcoming Mini Pacific Games which will be held in Rarotonga, Cook Islands from September 28-October 9.



The former Vodafone Fiji Bati manager in his new role as a General Manager will oversee four sports which include Netball, Rugby 7’s, Touch Rugby and Rugby League.



Ratakele’s notable achievement was during the 2007 South Pacific Games in Samoa where he managed the Fiji Bati team to win its first gold medal in the Rugby league 9’s tournament.



Profile: Rusiate Ratakele

1999-2002 – Manager Nadi Herons Rugby league

2001 – Liaison Officer – Brisbane Broncos Pre-season Training Fiji Tour

2002 – Fiji Bati Manager – Fiji vs. England A (1-1)

2003- Fiji Bati Manager – World 7’s in Australia

2003-2008 – Manager Nadi Eels Rugby League

2004 – Musashi Fiji Bati Manager – Couger World 7’s in Australia

2004- Attended Rugby league International Federation Board Meeting as an observer

2006 – Fiji Bati Manager – Orara Valley 7’s at Coffs Harbor

2006 – Fiji Bati Manager – Cook Islands test match sanctioned by RLIF

2006 – Fiji Bati Manager – Pacific Cup (Finalists with Tonga won silver medal)

2007 – Vodafone Fiji Bati Manager – Orara Valley 7’s

(Finalists with South Magpies lost 44-40 sudden Death

2007 – Vodafone Fiji Bati Manager – South Pacific Games in Samoa

(Fiji was the first Pacific Country to win Gold medal in the first ever Rugby league 9’s in the South Pacific Games)

2007 – Vodafone Fiji Bati Manager – Junior Kangaroo (lost 15-14) and Tonga tour (lost 14-12)

[Druzik]

www.fijitimes.com.fj/story.aspx?id=115600

Newcomers show fine form
By JOSEFA MAKABA
Sunday, March 01, 2009

NEWCOMERS to the Fiji Secondary School's Rugby League Ratu Kadavulevu School has shown they will be a threat in the competition this year after an impressive performance in the first three weeks of competition.

Vodafone competition co-ordinator Rusiate Ratakele says the excellent performance by RKS "is a testimony to the hard work done by FNRL development officer Sale Tubuna at Lodoni.

"Yes, the RKS Eels has been performing above expectations since they entered the competition this year and will surely be one of the teams to beat.

"I believe the work done by our development officers are beginning to bear fruit.

"We have Sale working with RKS while Nadera Panthers coach Vula Dakuitoga and Asaeli Saravaki are helping Queen Victoria School."

Tailevu neighbours RKS and QVS are two of the new schools that have entered the national rugby league competition this year.

In yesterday's competition, RKS won two games in the Under-15 and U19 while their U17 side lost to QVS.

Yesterday's results:

U15: RKS 4-Lelean 0; SGS 30-John Wesley 0.

U-16: International 1- Laucala 4; SGS 14- John Wesley 4.

U17: RKS 10- QVS 12; Nasinu 0- LMS 10.

U-18: SGS 8- Nasinu 16; Nabua 8- RSMS 10; John Wesley 14- Laucala 4.