Rugby power

The much anticipated World Rugby Awards for 2016 got underway on Sunday night and the likes of New Zealand, South Africa and England had their own shares of victories, just as many had predicted.

Hopes were very high within our Pacific Island nation rugby enthusiasts and especially for Fiji, after our own seven’s skipper Osea Kolinisau, Fiji’s France-based Virimi Vakatawa and former sevens coach Ben Ryan were among the top contenders for these awards.

However, at the conclusion of the ceremony at the Hilton London Metropole last night, rugby lovers around the globe witnessed once again that the game of rugby, I suppose, is still controlled and dominated by the powerful so called tier one nations.

With rugby, a sport that is quickly gaining recognition in providing lucrative deals, factors such as finance, manpower and resources are among the determining factors that favour rugby power houses. Unfortunately for Fiji, this is yet to be realised and be accommodated for.

When and how this is going to be achieved is worth pressing through to our Fiji Rugby Union executives, and of course with the constant support from New Zealand and Australia who are our neighbours yet nemesis in the rugby field.

Congratulations to Kolinisau, Vakatawa and Ben Ryan for making the cut, we still love our rugby and the sport is here to stay.

Waisale Ramoce

Wainivula

Letter of the Week winner, Waisale Ramoce, will receive a Parker pen from the Fiji Sun.