Friday 15 June 2012

Fiji: From flooded villages to the Burning West

SO the Scotland rugby tour has rolled into Fiji and Lautoka.
Hunter Stadium, Newcastle (NSW) seems a long time ago-AND the rains have followed us into the Pacific Islands.


Players have been commenting on perspective from natural disasters, and how they struggle to come to terms with the housing and the flooding here, particularly after a visit to the village of Nawaka with a population of 1800, which sustained severe flood damage (Scots visit Nawaka Village) earlier in the year when only five houses and the church survived intact.
It makes the struggle for internet access a little less overwhelming.


This stadium is sensational. The name evocative: Churchill Park. The region known as Fiji's "Burning West".
The view seen here from the hill behind the posts is from the shade of a large tree.
Cracking way to watch how the defence unfolds and teams are creating space for attacks.


The crowds will be noisy and excited to see a Tier One rugby nation: they have only had two visits by Italian teams since Scotland were last here in Fiji, and the Scots were heavily defeated back in 1998.


All information relating to Scottish Rugby's media coverage can be found on www.scotlandrugbyteam.org.
How the Aussie Press saw it...
The critical thing for squad and media alike appears to be whether Scotland can capitalise on the momentum of the excellent victory over Australia in the lashing rains of Newcastle.

(see John Beattie's blog here BBC Blog) With team members returning to take their places after injury or illness there is a real sense of anticipation about this Scottish rugby team.


This South Pacific is a enjoyable tour clearly made more so for the presence of winning matches. Tries will also be a welcome addition, but the respect shown to all members of the playing and management squad has been magnificent even though we have had a trimmed down management team (unlike in Aussie Rules where we learned that for an away fixture 22 players may travel but 32 management!).


Rain falls as Scots tour Nawaka

Nawaka Villagers entertainment
Yet the messages of visiting a place like Nawaka and seeing the joy of the locals entertaining us with dance and song will live on for the tour party.




Anyhow it is almost matchday, the tape has been precut, the massage is complete, and key messages have festooned the sanctity of the Team Room.


As with so much in Fiji we will be left with memories of an experience that everyone concerned will remember. Rain or shine.

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