Recently, discussions continue regarding the creation of a Fijian team based in the Basque Country. Meanwhile, the Fijian 7s team will play a friendly match in Biarritz next week.
Last week, it was reported that the Fiji Rugby Federation was considering creating a new team called “Fiji Latui” as a reserve for the national team, the Flying Fijians. The Fiji Rugby Union plans to establish the base for this team in the Basque Country, in either Biarritz or Bilbao.
Discussions have been ongoing between the different stakeholders, and representatives from the Fiji Rugby Union are expected to visit the South-West of France in the next two weeks to progress with the project.
The Fijian 7s team, who won the gold medal at the Olympics in 2016 and 2020, will also be in Biarritz next week to play against the Euskarians, the Basque Country’s team, possibly with some young BOPB players. An agreement has been reached, and final details are being ironed out before the official announcement. The friendly match is scheduled for Wednesday, May 20th, in the evening (6 pm), at the Aguilera sports park.
This test run will help the Fijian team prepare for the upcoming global events in Valladolid (May 29-31) and Bordeaux (June 5-7). It will be the first time Jerry Tuwai, one of the greatest 7s players of all time, recently appointed as assistant coach of the team, will play in Europe. This friendly match also shows the Fiji Rugby Union’s genuine interest in establishing a presence in the Basque Country for its future development.
