Scrum practice by the Samoan Women's Rugby team, the Manusina. Photo: RNZ
“I mean, we were already fighting for crumbs, we were fighting for the crumbs off the crumbs.”
Samoan women’s team manager, Tauanu’u Nick Bakulich, says resources are a constant issue:
It doesn’t help that four years ago Tonga’s Ministry of Education told girls they shouldn't be playing rugby because it went against their dignity and Tongan culture and traditions.
The Samoan woman's rugby team, the Manusina, clash with Fiji. Photo: Oceania Rugby
Sports Journalist, Talei Anderson tells us that while this decree was quickly overturned in the face of widespread public condemnation, it still leaves the question: what role do culture and traditions have when Pacific women play the game?
But Vela Naucukidi, Women's Development Officer for Fiji’s Rugby Union, says change is coming slowly and some success has already arrived. She recalls the Fijiana’s bronze medal winning effort at the 2021 Olympics:
“I broke down after the match when we were back at the village when my messenger was flooded with videos of males cheering for us. That was the turning point… To me that was the biggest achievement because it took me about 20 years to change mindsets.”
Lavena Cavuru of Fiji during France v Fiji at the Women’s Rugby World Cup New Zealand 2021 (played in 2022) pool match at Northland Events Centre, Whangarei, New Zealand on Saturday 22 October 2022. Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz
Available from February 9th on Apple podcasts, iHeart, Spotify, PMN and at RNZ.co.nz.
Fair Game: Pacific Rugby Against the World is made with the support of New Zealand on Air.
Written and produced by James Nokise, Talei Anderson and John Daniell for Bird of Paradise Productions, Radio New Zealand and Pacific Media Network
Language programme director - Matt Tufuga
Executive producers for RNZ - Justin Gregory, Katy Gosset and Tim Watkin
Sound engineers - Rangi Powick, Alex Harmer and Jeremy Ansell for RNZ, Harrison Edwards at PMN
Music and sound design - Anonymouz (Faiumu Matthew Salapu)
Visuals: Manatoa Productions, Anonymouz and Krista Barnaby (RNZ)
Additional reporting by Lice Movono
Additional sound recorded by Rudy Bartley at WT Media in Samoa
Special thanks to Don Mann, Lui Vilisoni, Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson, Jodhi Hoani, Josie Campbell,
Elijah Fa’afiu and Inangaro Vakaafi
RNZ Commissioning - Jodhi Hoani, Tim Burnell
RNZ Acting Head of Content - Veronica Schmidt
RNZ Interim Chief Content Officer - Megan Whelan
