Floreat Viti

News & Review

2011-12-20T23:42:00.000-08:00

Fiji News 2011 on Dipity.

| More

Lens On Fiji.

2011-11-11T18:24:00.000-08:00

National Geographic Islands special on Fiji. Suffice to say, warts and all.

| More

X-Post: NYT: A Disappearing Underwater World.

2011-10-12T18:08:00.000-07:00

Cross Posted From New York Times article.

The excerpt:

October 12, 2011, 2:41 pm
A Disappearing Underwater World
By MARK HAY
(Image by E. Hunter Hay) Corals in the Votua Marine Protected Area.

Mark Hay, a biology professor at Georgia Tech, writes from Fiji, where he is investigating coral-seaweed competition in the coral reefs.

Tuesday, Oct. 11
Despite my growing up in Kentucky, not having a passport until my early 20s and not seeing a tropical coral reef until I was in graduate school, whenever I step off a plane in the tropics, I feel like I’ve come home. The organic, fungal smell of heavy tropical humidity is somehow comforting and “right” for me; I also associate it with coral reefs, and a wonderful, but disappearing, underwater world that has become a major focus of my life’s work.

Mark Hay Readying the ship.
After 28 hours of flying, layovers, slow immigration and customs lines and a long in-country bus ride, I finally arrive in Votua Village on the coral coast of Viti Levu, Fiji, where my group has established a small lab to work on the ecology of coral reefs. We chose Votua Village because the villagers here have been especially proactive in establishing and protecting an area of their reef (a Marine Protected Area). They welcomed us, wanting to know more about how to best conserve their reef and associated resources.

Reef preservation, much less recovery, is a daunting challenge. In the 30 years I’ve worked on reefs in the Caribbean, Indian Ocean and tropical Pacific, we have learned more about reef function and the processes that keep them healthy, but these processes are degrading rapidly and reefs worldwide seem to be in a biotic death spiral. I have two sons in their 20s and cannot show them an average Caribbean reef like the ones I worked on when they were born, much less a “good” one. Healthy Caribbean reefs have disappeared in that short time.
Mark Hay
Looking down at the study site
When my sons were born, an average Caribbean reef was covered by 50 to 60 percent live coral; today it is 5 to 10 percent. This is the equivalent of losing pine forests from Georgia or aspens from the Rocky Mountains in less than 30 years. During this same period, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia lost about 50 percent of its coral cover. Worldwide, coral reefs are being converted to seaweed-covered meadows that do not support the biodiverse assemblage of species that allow a reef to function.

With reef loss, the villagers of Fiji lose food security (fish from the sea), the protection from storm surge that the reef provides, income from tourists who come to Fiji for its beautiful reefs, and many other critical ecosystem services that are the lifeblood of tropical island nations and peoples.

Reef loss results from a host of synergistic and growing environmental insults: overfishing, global change, ocean acidification, pollution, coral disease. What can local villagers do to preserve reefs when so many of the stresses are global? Will local efforts to manage fishing and pollution be enough, or will global-scale ocean warming and acidification kill the reefs anyway? The long-term answer is unclear, but the short-term results are promising. When fishing is prohibited, the intact food web on a reef helps it recover from even large-scale climate stresses, disease outbreaks, etc.
E. Hunter Hay, top; Ian Markham
A comparison of the Marine Protected Area, top, and an adjacent area where fishing is allowed.
Our present work in Fiji focuses on determining how seaweeds affect corals (some seaweeds poison corals when they come into contact); which fishes best control the most damaging seaweeds (by eating them despite the bioactive chemicals they produce); and how villagers might limit or focus fishing practices to leave critical components of the food web intact, allowing corals, fishes, seaweeds, and villagers to sustainably coexist in a way that preserves reef presence and function.

Much of this work is focused on understanding chemical signals in the sea and how transmission of these chemicals among organisms constitutes the language of life on a reef, altering organism behaviors in ways that can facilitate reef health and recovery or, if interfered with, cause reef decline and initiate the biotic death spiral that modern reefs seem to be experiencing.

| More

Oliver Feeling Quite At Home In Vorovoro

2011-09-22T19:08:00.000-07:00

Courtesy of Tribewanted Fiji| More

Oceans & Man - A Tribute To Seafaring Traditions

2011-04-26T22:45:00.000-07:00

Vatican Museum new hall dedicated to mankind and the sea was opened in January 2011.

One of the glass encased displays, features a micro version of a Fijian Drua,

among other Pacific ocean going canoes.

|More

A Giant Welcome To The White House.

2011-01-20T06:51:00.000-08:00

The President of the United States official residence and office, White House blog post, displays the official video (31.10 mins) [posted below] of the welcome ceremony for the President of China, Hu Jintao.

A few awkward moments during the outset of events.

Vehicle stops (0.43 mins)and the sailor who fiddled around with the driver side rear door (0.48-1.06 min).

Unfortunately, the sailor could not get it open for the Chinese defense attache, until a nearby officer was lucky to be close by [behind the rear of the VIP vehicle] walk up (0.53 mins), pause (0.56 mins) and assist (1.01 mins).

Also, the positioning of 2nd tier officials of both sides (1.27 mins) and subsequent corrections (1.33 mins), prior to the "walk up".

Hillary was among the first of the cabinet members in line to shake hands and hugs President Hu like an old friend(1.45 mins) when he sort of lingers in front of Mrs Clinton for a few seconds and exchange pleasantries.

After the 21 gun salute and initial salutations, the following review of the guard was another brow raiser. The honor guard's sudden adjusting movement (6.08 min)to face the President Hu Jintao was rather clumsy, after President Obama stopped short of the cue mark.

After these series of minor hiccups, the sequence of events began to naturally flow.

Make your own judgement on the protocol faux pas, after viewing the footage?

|More

Joy To The World?

2010-12-25T12:13:00.000-08:00

It is from the earth, from the solidity of the earth that a birth has to take place, a labour full of joy and the patient awareness of a task which is unfolding step-by-step, awaited with peace and certainty, it is necessary to suffer so that the truth does not crystallize into doctrine, but may be born of the flesh [E. Mounier]

|More

Surfs Up!

2010-07-25T21:29:00.000-07:00

Brilliant video footage for the connoisseur.

|More

A New Day In Fiji- A Video.

2009-12-18T00:52:00.000-08:00

|
More

Rush.L Visits His Old Stomping Grounds In Sacramento.

2009-11-11T08:47:00.000-08:00

|
More

A Helping Hand In Fiji.

2009-09-26T08:45:00.000-07:00

Interesting video (posted below) showing footage and stills from Help-International (H.I) projects in Fiji.

|
More

To Babasiga With Love.

2009-05-30T11:08:00.000-07:00

Football Is For Sissies!

2007-10-18T19:43:00.000-07:00

NPR radio program: Market Place analyses the financial aspect of the 2007 Rugby World Cup in comparison with the American Football's NFL competition. Science Forum.com has also debated the question, of which sport is tougher.

Another interesting essay on the differences between NFL and Rugby, the following is an excerpt:

Pads and Helmets: Rugby vs. Gridiron

By Robert Fawcett

I visited Australia a decade or so ago; a rugby match was on the TV at a local pub. Being one of the few identified Americans in the establishment, it wasn’t too surprising that the topic of gridiron (NFL-style American football) eventually came up among my Aussie hosts. Despite my largely failed attempts to convince the crowd that gridiron was every bit as rough as rugby, all I could garner was at best total dismissal, and at worst contempt. The perception outside the U.S. is that American Football is just bastardized rugby with thick padding designed to avoid the physical harm associated with the Union sport. Interestingly, most Americans hold an inverse perception: that rugby is gridiron without the pads, and as such, rugby is perceived as senselessly violent.

The misconceptions between rugby and gridiron are rooted in the belief that gridiron and rugby are similar sports. The truth, however, is far from this, as anyone who's ever played both sports can attest. In rugby, the only collision (i.e., running at speed for the purpose of forcing a player to the ground) is when one has the ball. The other 29 lads on the pitch are there for support. In American football, 21 of the 22 players had better be colliding with someone on every down - at full speed. In gridiron, there is collision while blocking. In rugby, the equivalent is called "obstruction" and is illegal, thus there are far more opportunities - requirements - for player collision in American football.

The styles of tackling are also very different. In rugby, the object is to bring the player to the ground in order to force a turnover. In gridiron, on the other hand, the purpose of tackling is to not yield a single millimeter of turf to the opposition advance. Rugby is largely about possession and gridiron is largely about territory. This creates two immensely differing approaches to tackling.

In rugby, the tackler (ideally) wants to wrap up around the upper legs, and drag the runner to ground. Sooner is better than later, but a few feet doesn’t matter much. In gridiron, the tackler prefers a head-on collision, the hard plastic helmet connecting to the opponent's chest; a wrap up around the waist or lower subsequently follows, and then a drive backwards as far as the tackler can go. The ground is the forceful end of a preferably very long trip on an American tackle. Without a helmet, an American football player would not likely live or walk for very long in such a contest. In rugby, a tackler may not grab around the shoulders and neck (at least when the ref is looking). In gridiron, virtually any means of bringing the ball carrier to the ground is legal, so long as the facemask isn't grabbed. This broad interpretation of the tackling rule sets gridiron far apart from its rugby counterpart, and greatly changes the amount of violence with which the objective may be carried out.

In rugby, a runner must absorb the impact of a tackler's flesh-and-bone shoulder and arm along with the variant inertial energy associated with the tackler's speed, mass and angle of attack. In gridiron, a ball-carrier must absorb all these things, plus the impact of a hard, plastic helmet and shoulder pads behind the force of a tackler whose mass is often greater than his rugby counterpart. By the way, there is little protection for most American football players between the sternum and the groin, which happens to comprise the precise target area of a gridiron tackler. Also, the pads are not the soft rubber found in rugby equipment. They are hard, reinforced plastic designed for the purpose of diffusing energy. Wearing gridiron pads gives one a visceral sense of invulnerability that cannot be truly replicated in rugby. Thus, the force used in gridiron tackling tends to be less restrained by the fear of injury, conscious or otherwise. There are plenty of fearless rugby tacklers, but they will rarely throw their careers (and possibly lives) away by running face-first into a head-on collision with a sprinting ball-carrier.

When a rugby player's tackling is imminent, he (hopefully) has someone nearby that the ball can be passed to - granted, this is not a certain way to avoid a tackle, but in theory, it moves play away from him. In gridiron, all play ends when and where the ball runner is crushed - no one passes the ball in American football but the quarterback.

Having played both sports, I can say that while the tackling differs, one method is no less bearable than the other in their respective environs. Crippling injuries or death would occur if someone attempted to use American-style tackling in rugby (I know - I made that foolish mistake in one of my early matches and nearly paid dearly for it). American tackling in rugby may also result in "over-commitment," that is to say, running at so great a speed at the ball-carrier that a successful reaction to a side-step or a reasonably competent pass is impossible (remember, in American football, there is no passing once the ball leaves the line of scrimmage). This lends credence to my theory that while former gridiron players are impressively capable of good hits in rugby, they tend to be vulnerable in getting burned by a smart, experienced backline player.

This is not to say, however, that rugby tackling is "weak." It is not. Within the confines of the laws, it, too, has its own terrible aspect of violence; but one that is appropriate for a bunch of ruggers trying to bring down anyone who has the ball. As a backliner myself, I have both given and received my share of bone-jarring rugby tackles. But I rarely felt the kind of impact I routinely encountered in American football, even when accounting for the pads.

To those who would deride the comparative aggressiveness of American gridiron football, I would say this: you may intelligently criticize only when you have played both sports. My sense of it is that ruggers who have never played a down of football cannot meaningfully comment on the difference between the two sports. The truth of the matter is that if a skeptical rugger were to strap on gridiron armor and play just one half of American Football, they would not hold the same opinion of the sport’s violence. Being aggressively flattened a dozen or so times by 25 stone (350 pound) behemoths tends to make one a believer.

Postscript, by Wes Clark

I asked Bob to write this article because I have seen this “rugby vs. gridiron” matter come up again and wish to refute it in a lasting form available on the Internet. Like Bob, I, too, have played both rugby and gridiron (in high school).

The claim for false machismo based on ruggers not wearing pads (“Pads are for girls” is a frequent catchphrase) is flawed on a very basic level, since any rugger or rugby spectator will assure you that the claim is now false. It may have been true years ago, but the rise of professionalism has changed things. The best and toughest ruggers in the world now play with pads of some kind. Try telling them they’re girls. And as for helmets, while it is true that scrumcaps aren’t hard like a gridiron helmet, they still are designed to offer some protection. Ostensibly for forwards, even some backline players wear them.

A rugby pal of mine (another fellow who played both games) described it best when he said, “Rugby is a contact sport. Gridiron is a collision sport.” As Bob states in his article, there are collisions going on at various parts of the field in every down. This is wearing upon muscle and bone, to say the least. And consider that for all its legendary violence, rugby is indeed a lifetime sport, and Old Boys and “Golden Oldies” leagues abound, with some players being quite advanced in age. (Click here for a tale of a 96-year-old Roman, and here for an account of a 90-year-old Japanese rugger.) There simply is no such thing as Old Boys Gridiron! Americans who, in their thirties or forties, still find themselves wanting to play football commonly play a variation called “flag football,” where tackling is prohibited. (A tackle is considered to have been made when a flag, or bit of fabric, is pulled from the waistband of the shorts.)

Finally, consider the playing careers of the respective world class rugger and NFL star. Both and considered to be in their prime in their twenties and perhaps early thirties. But a professional, world-class rugger can still play a respectably competitive game of rugby in his forties. (I’ve seen this.) There is really no question of an NFL star playing gridiron in his forties – he is too badly battered!

Having written all this, I will go on record as stating that I prefer rugby; it’s more fun to play and certainly more fun to watch! But I agree with Bob: Before non-Americans mindlessly criticize gridiron as being soft, they ought to try it. I am certain they will find it far tougher than they think.

Fiji Rugby Fans Want the Springboks Skewered.

2007-10-04T17:22:00.000-07:00

Fiji TV staff put together a Youtube video, showing the support for the upcoming Rugby World Cup quarter final match against the South Africa team, also known as the Springboks because of the logo that appears on the national jersey.

The upcoming match has already erupted in the media with verbal skirmishes.

" "For me personally, I don't think we should show them any respect," Fourie said at the Boks' training ground in Marseille today."

South African Centre, Fourie, playing in his second World Cup and having already amassed 34 Test caps (19 tries), feels that it is time the Boks stopped pussy-footing about in the World Cup and adopted some serious attitude.

"I think a bit of arrogance is required," said Fourie, who is the team's practical joker and is never short of a jocular chirp - unless he is talking about rugby.

Fourie's oppositional counter part, Seru Rabeni has called on the the Fiji team to lift the game to another level; being astutely aware that the Fiji team has yet to hit their full stride.

"They (South Africa) are only human," [Rabeni] added. "It is 15 versus 15, although it is a continent against an island.

"If we can give them something they can feel, we will make them think about us".

Fiji's coach and former Wallaby Breakaway dubbed by commentators as "The Human Skewer" responded to Fourie's comments in a Fiji Village article as that, "this will just push [the Fiji team] harder to try their best to beat the South Africans".

Analysis of Fiji Vs Australia-RWC 2007

2007-09-24T18:41:00.000-07:00

Tabua draws on positives

Fiji Times - Tuesday, September 25, 200711:08 AM

FIJI coach Ilivasi Tabua says his team can draw several positives from Sunday’s 55-12 to Australia as they prepare for the all-important clash with Wales on Sunday in Nantes.

“We played against a very professional Australia side in Montpellier,” Tabua said. “The Wallabies have the best record in the Rugby World Cup, and their set pieces are always well organised and difficult to match.”

“We fielded a young team with a number of players getting their first run in this tournament. There were times when we put the Wallabies under pressure and had we held onto the ball better then I think we would have scored more points.”

Tabua said he was happy with the second and third row forwards in general play and the overall defence of the pack, especially against the rolling maul.

“We didn’t concede any pushover tries and our defence on the line held well as it did against Japan and Canada. But Australia made very good use of their possession and their backs showed how dangerous they are in attack.”

“When Isoa Neivua scored on the stroke of half-time, I decided to put on some fresh legs for the start of the second half to try and get us on a roll, but Australia didn’t give us much freedom.”

The former Wallaby back rower emphasised he had rested several key players that had played two full and mentally tiring matches earlier so they would be fresh for the match against Wales.

Graham Dewes, Sunia Koto, Kele Leawere, Semisi Naevo, Akapusi Qera, Nicky Little and Kameli Ratuvou all sat out the Australia game.

“Some of the young players that took their places will have learned heaps from the experience,” Tabua said. “This was probably the biggest match in the careers of Jone Daunivucu, Waisea Luveniyali, Vereniki Sauturaga and Jone Qovu.”

As for Saturday’s match with Wales, Tabua said, “Right now, we’re exactly where we wanted to be at the beginning of the tournament – awaiting a winner-takes-all clash with Wales.”

“So far, we may not have played to the level expected, but we’ve managed to score tries with limited possession. If we can lift our game against the Welsh and reduce the errors it should be a great match.”

Fiji's track record of games 2-1 (2 Wins, 1 loss).

FULL TIME FIJI (12) AUST (55)

Fiji Times - Monday, September 24, 20072:14 AM

Thanks for joining us. The second string Fijian side was well beaten. Now the focus is on the Wales match. Match report to be posted shortly.

TRY 80 min -Drew Mitchell is in again with a length of the feild try after Tuqiri started the move. It was just the matter who would score.Julian Huxely misses conv. Its over 55-12 to Australia

77 min -A few minutes remain and it will be the clash between Fiji and Wales which will decide the second team to mak th last eight from this pool.

TRY 74 min -Stephen Hoiles off the bench gets a try after a lineout win and the backs and forwards work together. Good combination and support play and Fiji should learn some tips of keeping ball in hand and passing when needed. Giteau misses conv. 50-12

72 min -News coming in from the Aussie camp is the Barnes is injured as well. With Larkham out until the semi-final it could be a concern. Whatever happens Australia will top the pool and face either England or Tonga.

TRY 70 -Rabeni made thw wrong move with a huge overlap and wanted to score himself. Austrai turned the ball over and kicked into Fiji half. Tuqiri gave the last pass to Drew Mitchell who is under the posts. Giteau converts. 45-12.

68 min -The Mexican waves goes up and the game is plain boring at the moment.

67 min -Rawaqa is down and doesn't look serious. We have Bobo for the next match and now most will know why we still need Caucau in the team.

66 min -Better play by Fiji with Rabeni having a personal battle with the Aussies.He has been in everything. Aussies are huddling meeting at a injury break.

65 min -Young Gabiriele Lovobalavu is on. The game is losing its shape.

63 min -Rabeni invovled again and Scott Staniforth who is just on for Barnes is down.Sisa Koyamibole on for Netani Talei.

62 min -Latham makes a double movement near the Fiji line and loses th try scoring opportunity.

61 min -The ball goes out on Tuqiri's wing. This the first time i have seen him in the second half. He is vry quiet.

60 min -20 mins to go and Rauluni is down with a head injury. Fiji is bringing on Jone Railomo for Alefoso Yalayalatabua.

58 min -Rabeni has been very rough at his play and might want to tone down a bit. He needs to play rugby.

TRY 57 min -Adam Ashley Cooper gets his name on try scorer list and Aust get the bonus point. It was a good line run by the Aussies and Cooper got right through. Rabeni will need to be careful. Giteau converts. 38-12

55 min -Rabeni and Latham have a qucik word. Rabeni just came in hard on Barnes and now picked Latham who wanted a word.

54 min -Rauluni and Gregan look like twins as they both have shaven heads. Fiji will be pleased foe having scored two tries.

52 min -Fiji gets a scrum in the Aust half and there is opitions on both sides. Which way will they go? But Aust forces a knock on.

50 min -Fiji should continue the pressure.

PEN 49 min -Obstruction by Fiji in its on half and a easy shot for Giteau. He adds another three. 31-12

TRY 47 min -Rauluni shows his worth as from a line out he makes a break and set up Aca Ratuva for a nice try. Australia will be disapppointed. Talei won the line out well. Bai converts from the side line. 28-12.

DROP 44 min - Berrick Barnes shows what is made off. He lands a drop goal. 28-5

PEN 42 min -Giteau opens the scoring after Henry Qiodravu is penalised.
25 -5

41 min - Second half gets underway. Fij has bought in Mosese Rauluni, Seru Rabeni and Wame Lewaravu.

HALF-TIME -Fiji has got a try after being on the back foot. Will this change the game in the second half. We haven't seen anything special but Fiji showed with ball in hand the team can do alot.
Sauturaga will have words soken to him about line outs and the tactical kicking needs to come in more from Luveniyali.

TRY 40 min -Isoa Neivua gets a try on the stroke of half-time after a good attack by Fiji. After a good work by the forwards Delasau makes amends as he set up Neivua. He took over a couple of Aust players over. Bai misses the kick. Half-time 22-5

39 min -Jone Qovu goes in for a try but the ball was knocked n before than.

TRY 37 min -Giteau gets the third try and it all came from a good line out from the Wallabies inside the Fiji 22. Phase after phase the Wallabies took the ball up and Giteau got the touch down. Giteau misses the kick. 22-0.

35 min -Vereniki Sauturaga's head goes down as he gives another free kick away at line out time. Another chip beats Delasau.

33 min -Is this the start of normal service by Aust. Birthday boy Lote Tuqiri is very quiet.

TRY 30 min -Vilimoni Delasau is not having agreat game as now he is beaten to a chip kick by Drew Mitchell. Great chip by Chris Latham. Finally the second try comes. Giteau converts. 17-0 to Wallabies.

29 min -Fiji gets a scrum in the Aussie half but some players already looking tired and pufing.A tight head to Aust.

PEN 27 min -Australia add another three after a dubious looking call by the referee. Matt Giteau makes it 10-0.

26 min -Aust is full on attack. When will the next try come is the question.

24 min -Fiji will be proud of its defence so far in its own 22 as the Australians are being denied the opportunity to increase its tally. Could become fustrating soon.

23 min -Once again Australia makes a good attack but just the simple things are letting the Aussies down.

22 min -Flanker Netani Talei is down injured as George Gregan is marshalling his men.

21 min -While the scoreline doesn't show. Fiji has been under pressure and its just Aust that has been making mistakes at times.

19 min -There is no clear leadership as we get penalities in the 22 and we are wasting posession and not gaining the yards.

TRY 17 min -Matt Giteau get the try on his 50th test after some good work by Lote Tuqiri and the Australia pressure pays off. Giteau converts . Aust 7 Fiji 0

14 min - Fiji coach Ilivasi Tabua will be getting head aches early as our line outs are not good.

12 min - A good run by Norman Ligairi and Fiji gets a penalty and thy lose the ball in line out again and Berrick Barnes takes play into Fiji half.

11 min -Fiji players look unsure of what to do when they the ball in hand. They will need to be paitent and not rush as its still early.

9 min -Fiji hooker Vereniki Sauturaga is not having a good game as he gives away a free kick in his own 22. But the Fiji defence again hold the Aussies out. Good defence by Bai and co.

7 min - Australia trying to be paitent but the Fijian defence is standing firm at the moment. And forcing Australia backwards.

5 min -Fiji hold the Aussie attack out and get a penalty after Australia holds on in the ruck.

3 min- Australian number eight Wycliff Plau makes a good run which sets the platform for a early attack in the Fiji 22. This after a tight head in the scrum.

2 min -Good early defence by Fiji even though the side didn't have a good throw in the line out

1 min -Waisea Luveniyali gets the match underway.

0 min -The Fijians do the cibi (traditional war dance) led by Mosese Rauluni.

The national anthems of 'Blessing Grant of God of Nations' and 'Advanced Australian Fair' rings around the Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier.

The biggest test to date for the Fijians at the World Cup will begin in a few minutes. Stay here for the best and latest update.

Fiji had earlier beaten Japan 35-31 and Canada 29-16.
Australia beat Japan 91-3 and Wales 32-20

The teams:
Australia: 15 Chris Latham, 14 Drew Mitchell, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Berrick Barnes, 9 George Gregan (c), 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Phil Waugh, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Dan Vickerman, 4 Mark Chisholm, 3 Guy Shepherdson, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Matt Dunning
Replacements: 16 Adam Freier, 17 Greg Holmes, 18 Hugh McMeniman, 19 Stephen Hoiles, 20 Sam Cordingley, 21 Scott Staniforth, 22 Julian Huxley

Fiji: 15 Norman Ligairi, 14 Vilimoni Delasau, 13 Maleli Kunavore, 12 Seremaia Bai (c), 11 Isoa Neivua, 10 Waisea Luveniyali, 9 Jone Daunivucu, 8 Jone Qovu, 7 Aca Ratuva, 6 Netani Talei, 5 Ifereimi Rawaqa, 4 Isoa Domolailai, 3 Henry Qiodravu, 2 Vereniki Sauturaga, 1 Alefoso Yalayalatabua
Replacements: 16 Bill Gadolo, 17 Jone Railomo, 18 Wame Lewaravu, 19 Sisa Koyamaibole, 20 Mosese Rauluni, 21 Gabiriele Lovobalavu, 22 Seru Rabeni

Venue: Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier
Referee: Nigel Owens
Touch judges: Christophe Berdos, Mark Lawrence
Television match official: Craig Joubert
Assessor: Bob Francis

Text commentary: INDRA SINGH

All the match stats from Australia's Pool B clash with Fiji.

Australia		Fiji
7	Tries	2
4	Conversions	1
3	Penalty Goals	0
1	Drop Goals	0
71	Tackles	86
9	Missed Tackles	21
80	Carries	67
576	Metres	276
18	Defenders Beaten	9
8	Clean Breaks	2
8	Offload	6
29	Kicks from Hand	22
16	Turnovers Conceded	12
8	Penalties Conceded	5
0	Yellow Cards	0
0	Red Cards	0
10 from 10	Scrums Won	5 from 9
14 from 14	Lineouts Won	11 from 21
59 from 66	Rucks Won	50 from 50
59%	Possession	41%
64%	Territory	36%

30 Splendid Sons- A Tribute to Rugby.

2007-08-20T22:59:00.000-07:00

Thirty splendid sons from twenty nations across the Earth
gather at the stadiums along the French turf.
They play this game called Rugby
a game where tries are scored.
In playing for King and Country
an honour, no dollars could afford.

By crossing the try line and converting the goal
Brings together the nation's fold.
Regardless of status, color or creed
Multiple tries always extends one's lead
But before the try can be scored
all hands on the team
must be of one accord.

While keeping the ball alive
is the pace which the team should strive
Tackles, turnovers and broken play
undoubtedly are the champion's main stay
Loose balls, fumbled hands and quick thinking
punctuate the norm
Speed, sidestepping and swerving
increases a player's form.

Although, Rugby is a game of Kings
players are selected from wide streams
Representing the people, the nation and creed
the Rugby World Cup separates all challengers to the deed
At the end of the day stands the winner
bloodied, battered and bruised in time for dinner
Defending one's own nation from any loss
So are the rules of this wicked toss.

2007 Rugby World Cup Buzz.

2007-08-04T17:01:00.000-07:00

Came across several World Cup promotional videos. The 2007 Rugby World Cup may be the most covered in terms of connectivity in the advent of Web 2.0.

The oldest promo video was launched in 2006, and provides an entertaining view of Rugby World Cup 2007.

This second video gives a historic background to the RWC and bills the 2007 event as the greatest show on earth.

This third video is from International Sports Channel Sentanta and kind of gets the viewer energized for more international Rugby action.

In terms of commercials from national teams, South Africa fired the opening volley, with themes from the movie 300.

Video below, shows a Thunder Struck campaign and has a South African flavour to it.

This commercial supporting RWC 2007 is perhaps the most creative.

Stomping Grounds.

2007-07-24T14:16:00.000-07:00

Shakedown: Fiji's Recent Earthquake.

2007-05-06T15:37:00.000-07:00

United States Geological Survey (USGS)has reported an earthquake within the Fiji region, measuring a magnitude of 6.4 on the Richter scale. This warning was corroborated by report by Global Disaster Alert and Coordination system(GDACS).

Note, from the images posted below, a great proportion of Fiji's earthquakes have been relatively deep.

(Above image: Local area in Fiji. Source:USGS)

(Above image: Historical locations of Fiji Earthquakes. Source: USGS)

Commercial Humour in Fiji.

2007-04-30T15:19:00.000-07:00

I stumbled on this Youtube video (above)featuring Kidanet- a ISP and subsidiary of FINTEL, Fiji's statuary agency for International Telecommunication's. Rest assured that the emails listed will be getting this post.

This is the excerpt of the Who-is report of FINTEL's IP addresses.

IP Address : 202.170.33.10 [ loc-gw1.vcc.fintelfiji.com ]
ISP : Fiji International Telecoms Ltd
Organization : Fiji International Telecoms Ltd
Location : FJ FJ, Fiji
City : Suva, 01 -
Latitude : 18°13'33" South
Longitude : 178°41'67" East

% [whois.apnic.net node-2]
% Whois data copyright terms http://www.apnic.net/db/dbcopyright.html

inetnum: 202.170.32.0 - 202.170.47.255
netname: FINTEL-FJ
descr: Fiji International Telecoms Ltd
descr: 158 Victoria Parade
descr: Suva, Fiji
country: FJ
admin-c: IK136-AP
tech-c: LN59-AP
mnt-by: APNIC-HM
mnt-lower: MAINT-FJ-LNAKACIA
status: ALLOCATED PORTABLE
changed: hm-changed@apnic.net 20001227
changed: hm-changed@apnic.net 20030130
source: APNIC

person: Ioane N Koroivuki
nic-hdl: IK136-AP
e-mail: inkoroivuki@fintelfiji.com
address: FINTEL
address: PO Box 59
address: Suva
address: Fiji
phone: +679-3312933
fax-no: +679-3300750
country: FJ
changed: lmnakacia@fintelfiji.com 20030128
mnt-by: MAINT-FJ-FINTEL
source: APNIC

person: Laisiasa M Nakacia
nic-hdl: LN59-AP
e-mail: lmnakacia@fintelfiji.com
address: FINTEL
address: PO Box 59
address: Suva, Fiji
phone: +679-3312933
fax-no: +679-3300750
country: FJ
changed: lmnakacia@fintelfiji.com 20030128
mnt-by: MAINT-FJ-FINTEL
source: APNIC

The Kidanet commercial, a creative collaboration between Oceanic[Fiji] and Promotion [Fiji] did create some waves in comments in Oceanic's blog, due to it's historical inaccuracy and condescending tone.

Both qualities that will perhaps bear some resemblance to the Geico commercials (posted below) that appear in the US market, which avidly proclaims, "It's so easy, even a Caveman can do it"!

Fiji Bloggers Meet Up.

2007-04-08T15:53:00.000-07:00

Kudos to the author of Digital Fiji, bloggers on Fiji will have an inaugural meet and greet session at the Republic of Cappuccino on Victoria Parade and Loftus Street, Suva.

Time: 7:00 pm, Thursday, April 19, 2007.

Digital Fiji's author, Thrashor has also compiled a code publicising the blog meet.

Turtle Island and Qoliqoli Bill.

2007-03-24T13:02:00.000-07:00

Richard Evanson owner of Turtle Island resort and the Qoliqoli issue featured on a Youtube video.

2006-10-09T17:47:00.000-07:00

Qoliqoli stand.
Posted by Picasa

Walking for Fiji.

2006-09-25T20:42:00.000-07:00

New Zealander Lance Porteus is undertaking a mission (inspired by God) to walk from Lautoka(Fiji's second largest city in the West) to the capital Suva in the South East, for the purpose of reconciliation. Both cities are on opposites sides of the main island of Fiji (Viti Levu)with a distance in excess of 300 kilometers separating the two.

Kudos: A son of Fiji.

2006-09-18T23:22:00.000-07:00

Cover image of "Speaking Out".
Posted by Picasa

Update: Sept. 25th 2006. It is a regret to inform readers that the author (Sir Vijay Singh) of the book(pictured) passed away over the weekend in Brisbane, Australia.

Church and State.

2006-09-18T22:02:00.000-07:00

Heard this interesting topic of Christian Zionism produced by National Public Radio. The N.P.R audio program also interviews the Texan pastor of a super-church, Pastor John Hagee.
The article does shed light on the doctrine in some Babtist aligned churches in the U.S and their influence in foreign policy.

This radio segment also pushes to the surface, the old argurement of seperation of Church and State.

Talking from a Fiji perspective, the old Sunday bans on commercial activities post 1987 Fiji coups come to mind. Even the World Council of Churches have identified the symbiotic relationship between sucessive Fiji Governments and the Methodist Church of Fiji. The church has also campaigned against some films and even lobbied to be part of the film censorship board of Fiji. That was in the wake of their protesting the Constitutional framed, Human Rights protection for Gay people against violence orchestrated against them, as well as other crimes. Another campaign by the nationalistic Methodists was lobbying to enact laws that banned other religons from practising publicly in Fiji.

Quite recently the book published by Sir Vijay Singh called "Speaking Out" received the same kind of treatment, however the book ban campaign fizzled into obscurity because it failed to gain popularity even among the flock, as well the greater public already frustrated with the 2000 coup investigations which involved some key figures of the Methodist church.

On the very top of concerns is the investigation into sexual abuse by some Ministers during the Annual church conference. Senior church leaders have indicated their intention to deal with the matter internally rather than through the normal Police investigative channels. The Coup-de-Grace for the Methodist church's public intergrity, is their relunctance to decry temple looting as well not preaching abut religous intolerance in Fiji. The topic of religous intolerance was demonstrated by the defilement of Hindu temples occuring thrice in a single week.

Fiji Stylin.

2006-09-08T10:22:00.000-07:00

New product from Club 'Em designs.
Posted by Picasa

Click to purchase.

Nike Rugby's ad: Keep the Ball Alive.

2006-08-12T19:39:00.000-07:00

The pretty slick video of famous Rugby players is an awesome spectacle. Nike's Rugby commercial also features Fiji's own Rupeni Caucau, who does the impossible at the end sequence.

Stand and Deliver.

2006-08-08T22:01:00.000-07:00

Farthest from camera: Two siblings and children of the late Tui Nayau, Ratu Kamisese Mara, former Prime Minister of Fiji. (L) Adi Kuila Nalatikau (R) Ratu Finau Mara.

The male sibling is reported to have inherited the father's chiefly title of Tui Nayau. Another title of "Sau kei Lau", will be withheld. According to my sources, the Lau province historically has two positions of "Sau". One from the island of Totoya and the other from Vanuabalavu. The late P.M was only given both titles as acknowledgement of his position. However, those two titles would not automatically transfer to the new "Tui Nayau". This is similar to Fishing rights that were honorary acknowledgements to the first Prime Minister of Fiji. It would be difficult for any of the former "Tui Nayau" descendants to claim the same treatment. That obligation and decision rests entirely with the landowning family unit and not with the chiefly appointee.

Fiji culture blog has an interesting post on the native framework of salutations.
To correct certain aspects in the Lau province, according to my knowledge that the term "Tui" is seldom used for any island in Lau. That position is an artificial office created to facilitate the colonial induced provincial framework. Basically that position really has no cultural or historic platform to claim. Only an administrative title whose sole objective was to liase with the bonafide stake holders of Fijian tribal hierachy known as the "Turaga ni Mataqali" or tribal head. Nominally the holders of these positions are male descendants, but some provinces in Fiji have female title holders.

The paramount chiefly framework encompasses several Vanuas or provinces during times of intense tribal warfare in the past. The incumbents of these paramount chiefly titles have little to no say in the every day activities of each village or collection of villages known as "tikina".

Forward Fiji-A montage.

2006-08-02T16:41:00.000-07:00

Conjectures of Cannibalism.

2006-07-30T17:52:00.000-07:00

CANNIBAL TALK is a deconstructive perspective of cannibalism.

The author of Cannibal Talk, Gananath Obeyesekere- a Professor Emeritus of Athropology, Princeton University.

To sum up the book in a sentence, I would borrow New York Times columnist Thomas L. Friedman's line on George W. Bush: "Speaks with great moral clarity [and] have no moral authority."

Ethos-Psychological Anthropology Journal review article on the book is reviewed by a Harvard Medical school researcher, Sara M Bergstresser.

Accordingly Cannibal Talk will have to measure up to the seaman's yarns, missionary journals that document the practice. Albeit minimized by Obeyesekere, including the manufacture of pragmatic artifacts used in Fiji's bloody past.

Anthropomorphically speaking, tools are made for a purpose and mass produced when those tools become effectively common. Case in point, the evolution of Fiji warclubs, spears, cannibal forks and other tools found in Fiji Museum.

U.C Berkeley's laboatory on Human Evolutionary Studies researcher, David Degusta contributed a paper: "Fijian Cannibalism: Oseteological Evidence from Navatu", works on 1950's era records by the pioneer of Pacific culture analysis, archaeologist Edward.W Gifford.

We Come in Peace.

2006-05-27T11:18:00.000-07:00

Noticed this old lithographic image of the meeting of French Explorer Durmont Durville and Fiji chiefs. Circa 1820's.

Durville is the coiner of the terms Melanesia, Polynesia and Micronesia when he prepared a paper on his geographical exploits.

The Tanoa used to make the Kava is considered the largest ever made. Probably designed specifically for large events. Notice the open air setting and the spears placed out of the meeting venue. Suspicions were the norm when two states meet.

Fiji loses again- 2006 Commonwealth Games.

2006-03-17T09:40:00.000-08:00

N.Z Wins Commonwealth 7s Title.

Will Serevi's head roll as Fiji coach, after successive losses to England?

China bloggers- A lesson for Fiji bloggers.

2006-03-09T13:52:00.000-08:00

National Public Radio piece on China and her bloggers who are pushing the envelope of decency. Interesting reading from a reputable news agency.
It has been said that China has 30 million bloggers, which is quite a large number; compared with the handful of Fiji bloggers.

One blogger also a Communist party member also does a sexy dance routine on webcam. The issue of The Great Firewall of China has been in the agenda too, creating a cat and mouse game between the Government and the Blogger.

Fiji Government does not have anywhere near the expertise let alone the money to consider such an exercise. I guess Fiji bloggers will learn from the Chinese in terms of content like podcasting and video blogging.

Fiji Bloggers Ahoy.

2006-02-28T20:49:00.000-08:00

New blog from Fiji, titled Vakaivosavosa. Translated in English, means a person with the gift of the gab. Great layout and with the corresponding read.

Another new blogger named Pravin with his blog titled pinfiji. A pose of the Author makes up the unique header. Similar to Heretic 101, a California based Fijian blogger with great pictures.

Maweniligaqu an Aussie based blogger of Fiji heritage also ranks up there in header design.

New Blog from Taveuni.

2006-02-20T13:23:00.000-08:00

New blog from expats in Taveuni Island, Fiji.
It's titled Taveuni.. The contents of the blog is a tourist's perspective of the lifestyles on a Estate. An estate is a freehold property; that can be passed down from Generation to Generation. Native Land is communual owned and makes up 80% of available land in Fiji.

Go Fiji Go-IRB's L.A 7s.

2006-02-08T20:27:00.000-08:00

Bula Fiji.

2006-02-07T19:23:00.000-08:00

Here's a new blog called Bula Fiji.

Another Suva based blogger with a keen eye for photography.

Blog- We Love Fiji.

2006-01-28T19:45:00.000-08:00

New blog from Cooking Couple in S.F.

New blog -Rotten State of Fiji Roads.

2006-01-28T08:50:00.000-08:00

Here's a new blog from an old blogger from Fiji.

Fiji blog network.

2006-01-14T21:26:00.000-08:00

I'm using this blog as a default referral for other Fiji blogs.

Here are some blogs of note and will be continually seeking others.

1. Ni Sa Yadra-SET

2. Promoting Suva

Bus Ride in Suva, Fiji.

2006-01-11T19:21:00.000-08:00

Edinburgh Drive is the twisting road leading into Suva city from the Plateau that towers mysteriously behind the jungles of Walu Bay. It is a busy tar sealed thoroughfare meandering about 2 miles with a gradual elevation change.

It is on the last hill beneath the Calvary Temple complex, where the many open air Buses powered with Diesel Engines tend to compete for Bragging Rights among the boisterous kids, on their way home from School.

This showdown of driving skills was even anticipated by the proud, barrel chested Drivers. Some with dark skin punctuated with flaky white discoloration of the skin; caused by the over-indulgence of Fiji's traditional drink called Yaqona.

Drivers have long recognized this last hill; which has a steeper incline than the preceding ones. It is common to see two large vehicles with their engines whining to dangerous revolutions; racing neck to neck, up that last hill.

My observations of a Driver who routinely won this dash to Samabula, has identified attributes that led to his success.Since most Buses in Fiji have a Manual gearbox, this restricts the overly use of the accelerator. This scenario forces the driver to make, more creative use of the gearbox.

The successful driver timed his gear changing, to an art. He allowed the engine of his bus to work harder and longer. Synchronizing this rhythm of gear changing, with the perpetual tracking of the opposing Bus position; in respect with his own.

Our Bus Driver usually allowed the other bus to gain a little ground ahead of us; on the last hill beneath Calvary Temple, Samabula.
All the kids in the Bus are on their feet at this point; joining the growing Chorus of Cheers. "Go Driver Go, The Bus is Kaso!".

My Bus Driver skillfully changes gears slightly earlier; while the other Bus engine was whinging to the point of exhaustion; on that last stretch of two hundred yards.
Slowly my Bus catches the other and cruises by the opposing Bus, via this early surge of power created by the quick gear shift; as if the other Bus was stationary .

Beating the other bus, at "the tape" was always such, a sweeter victory.
This is usually when the badder kids who usually occupy the backseat; start sticking their heads out of their windows and hurling insults at the kids in the other bus.

2006-01-11T18:07:00.000-08:00

Rebels manning the Parliament Main gate- during the 2000 Coup. It is these soldiers who know the real indetities of the Coup financiers.
Posted by Picasa

2006-01-11T18:02:00.000-08:00

Parade...Attention!
Posted by Picasa

2006-01-11T17:56:00.000-08:00

Have books will Study!
Posted by Picasa

2006-01-06T12:02:00.000-08:00

2006-01-03T21:53:00.000-08:00

Fiji style- deck on the beach.
Posted by Picasa

2005-12-30T11:58:00.000-08:00

2005-12-27T17:08:00.000-08:00

Christmas in Fiji
Posted by Picasa

2005-12-07T19:53:00.000-08:00

2005-12-07T19:13:00.000-08:00

Qarase launches Fiji's newest Internet Service Provider: Unwired.
Posted by Picasa

2005-12-07T19:01:00.000-08:00

Kids in Fiji's capital: Suva.
Posted by Picasa

2005-12-07T18:58:00.000-08:00

Fiji Nursing Students online. Welcome to Cyberspace!
Posted by Picasa

Welcome bloggers.

2005-12-01T12:17:00.000-08:00