Fiji Magic's Everywhere – Except In World Cup

If you were among the sporting soothsayers who foresaw that the current breakdown laws would provoke a health and safety crisis as well as straitjacket the game and that the television match official’s seat might be better occupied by any species of bat, the following prediction will hardly come as a shock.

- Chris Hewett

At the next global gathering in France in 2023, the number of Fijian outside backs in the national squad will be equalled, and probably surpassed, by those representing countries who aren’t Fiji.

In the wing department alone, entire squadrons are playing professional rugby overseas: upwards of 50 at the last count.

Many drew their first breaths in Suva or Lautoka or Nadi; others were born abroad, to parents who had left home in search of work and a future.

Let’s ponder that statistic for a second. More than 50. It is a ridiculous figure. How ironic will it be if Vern Cotter, the Fiji coach, finds himself importing some “ringers” from rival nations just to fill seats on the team plane to Paris?

The latest man on a tear-up is Siva Naulago, who is taking time away from his day job as a British Army mortarman – the third syllable of that job description may or may not be superfluous – to indulge a God-given talent for reducing carefully constructed defensive systems to dust.

His performance for Bristol in the high-scoring draw at London Irish a week ago was a long way out of the ordinary: flamboyant one-handed carrying, disconcerting power, extreme pace, exquisite timing – the whole Rupeni Caucaunibuca-style Fijian caboodle.