Fiji loss highlights poor-cousin status

By CHRIS RATTUE

SYDNEY - The plight of Fiji rugby was summed up by the experience of one man after their defeat by Scotland in Sydney.

Veteran hooker Greg Smith, with his neck in a brace and his professional career also somewhat strangled, made a forlorn sight as he walked out of Aussie Stadium on Saturday night.

Smith, the former Fiji captain who has played 45 tests over nine seasons, learned two days earlier that he had missed the Chiefs' 2004 squad. He is convinced his Fiji allegiances cost him a Super 12 contract.

Now, his World Cup is also over after Scotland pipped Fiji for a quarter-final place.

Fiji coach Mac McCallion sat stunned following the final whistle, after Scottish prop Tom Smith had burrowed over for the match-winning try.

Moments later, the Fiji players shed tears and said a prayer in their dressing-room, then their Prime Minister spoke to them.

Leading Fiji official Charlie Charters said the prayers and tears were "not just for the game".

"They were playing for the future shape of world rugby ... for who is on the A-list," he said.

Scotland had been more tinny than canny. Their sole - and match-winning - try came from a lineout surge after Fiji lock Api Naevo had been surprisingly sinbinned by English referee Tony Spreadbury for a ruck infringement in the 76th minute.

Naevo is the Fiji bulwark, placed where opponents begin their lineout drives, and Scotland took advantage.

Yet Fiji and Smith had no complaint about what took place before another vibrant World Cup crowd of 31,000.

The Waikato hooker said his side had failed to put away Scotland, who he rates as quarter-final no-hopers against Australia.

"Scotland won't go any further. We lost the game, I don't think they won it," he said.

"We lost composure, became rattled, especially in the forwards.

"If we had kept delivering ball like we did in the first half, the second spell would have followed suit.

"Actually, Scotland were pretty timid. They didn't really want to confront or be part of the physical stuff.

"I wasn't surprised. They were like that when we played them in November. They have nothing apart from a kicking game."

Rupeni Caucaunibuca gave Fiji the chance to dream with two wonderful first-half tries, but a double tackle from loose forwards Cameron Mather and Simon Taylor in the 49th minute left him hobbling.

The Fiji forwards also limped along after hooker Smith, who has captained his country in 29 tests, departed in the 32nd minute with a neck injury.

Smith is the glue in the Fijian pack, the man who gives them focus and composure.

It also stretched Fiji's limited front-row resources - where they have minimal overseas experience and specialists - beyond the limit. Fijian front-rowers are not in demand like Fijian wings.

Fiji wanted Northland hooker Jason Hammond, who has a Fiji-born grandparent. But a 20-minute appearance for New Zealand A five years ago ruled him out. These are the sort of rules that shackle small rugby nations.

Many are also left without a voice of reason or protest at the International Rugby Board council, where Pacific Islands rugby does not even get a vote.

Of the 21 votes, 16 belong to England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, France, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.

Oceania representative Philipp Muller, from Samoa, got a toe in the door of the inner sanctum at the April council meeting in Dublin, but it was more a case of the IRB insulting than consulting the teams from a region that has done so much to lift the spirit of rugby.

Charters explains: "He was allowed into the council as an observer only. He was given instructions not to talk, not to communicate under any circumstances.

"The best way to hide a crime is in broad daylight."

Charters believes Scotland, Ireland and Wales are now just as vulnerable against the economic might of England, and must use their IRB influence to seek changes that will balance world rugby.

"Scotland and Wales have cancelled their A-team programme, so on that very important front they have already conceded to England," he said.

On the all-important eligibility front, Fiji are even losing players born in their country - such as the Chiefs' Sitiveni Sivivatu - who declare for the All Blacks.

Ironically, the New Zealand-born Smith is convinced that his Fiji links have cost him his employment with the Chiefs.

New Zealand Maori Scott Linklater, who plays second fiddle to Smith at Waikato, is now the Chiefs' back-up for Tom Willis.

So Fiji lose out on all fronts.

But as Smith headed out of the Aussie Stadium gates, he said: "I knew the implications of playing for Fiji from the outset ... This is still the best thing I've done in my life, playing for these guys."