Jarryd Hayne said it right after the Vodafone Fijian Bati’s impressive win against New Zealand in their Rugby League World Cup quarterfinal match at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium: “We are in the business of slaying giants.”

And slay we did. For 80 minutes, the Fijian Bati displayed absolute guts and determination.

Despite the try-less game, Fijians here and abroad were glued to any device that live streamed the game.

An overseas media report called the Bati’s 4–2 win “an upset for the ages.”

It would be – especially after New Zealand suffered the same fate last week at the hands of the Tongans.

Fiji Airways Flying Fijians

And yesterday morning, the Fiji Airways Flying Fijians took the Irish men to the wire at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

After Ireland’s impressive win against the Springboks last week, Joe Schmidt’s men were sure of another walk in the park.

Schmidt made 13 changes to his side. But they were caught off guard and had to work hard to win.

It certainly has been a memorable weekend for Fijian rugby league and union.

COP23 – Bonn, Germany

At the COP23 in Bonn, Germany, it was time for the Fijian delegation to sing the ‘Isa lei’ farewell song. This is despite negotiations dragging on until the wee hours of the morning.

Country statements released following the negotiations spoke of the success of COP.

They embraced Fiji’s concept of a Grand Coalition for greater ambition. This would link national governments with states and cities, civil society, the private sector and ordinary men and women around the world.

COP23 President and Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama highlighted a number of achievements from the meeting which included:

•  More funding for climate adaptation;
•  The Adaptation Fund to serve the Paris Agreement; and the
•  Launch of a global partnership to provide millions of climate-vulnerable people with affordable access to insurance.

Miss World

At the Miss World competition in Sanya, China, Tailevu beauty, Nanise Rainima, made Fiji proud. In fact, she won second place in the talent finals.

Yesterday, Miss World Fiji thanked her family, relatives and fans for their support through-out her campaign. What a weekend!

What a way for our ‘tiny nation’ to punch above our weight at international level.

ROSI DOVIVERATA

Feedback:  rosi.doviverata@fijisun.com.fj