FIJI Water Flying Fijians settle in Welagi, Taveuni.

The Fiji Water Flying Fijians have arrived and settled well in Taveuni as they begin their Rugby World Cup campaign.

The journey began at 3am, Saturday as the 39-member squad together with the management boarded the bus from Suva for a ferry ride across the island {Natovi-Nabauwalu}. After arriving in Nabouwalu, the team stopped at the Wairiki Village in the Province of Bua. The villagers had an opportunity to traditionally welcome the team. The FIJI Water Flying Fijians then headed towards Dreketi. They stopped at the Dreketi Shopping Center to meet and greet the fans.

After an hour and 45 minutes’ drive the FIJI Water Flying Fijians arrived at Nakubalavu Village, the home of half-back Frank Lomani.
Lomani was welcomed with a loud cheer from his own people after which the team was honored with a traditional ceremony.

Finishing with the formalities at Lomani’s Village, the team took a two-hour drive to Buca Bay to catch a boat to Taveuni.

Fans lined up on the streets as the FIJI Water Flying Fijians crossed a few villages before arriving at their base camp in Welagi.

Following another traditional ceremony, the players managed to sort out their bags and settled in the team hall which is going to be their home for the next six days.

FIJI Water Flying Fijians Head Coach Simon Raiwalui said it’s been a great start and we have been really blessed to meet the fans and reconnect with them.

“The fans have been amazing and the biggest thing for us is our people investing in us. We cannot just expect them to watch and support us but we as a team need to reconnect with the fans and make them believe in us.

Raiwalui added that he is proud to see the kids coming out in numbers to support the team at every stop along their way to Taveuni.
He added that “We would also like to thank our sponsor FIJI Water, as along the way we were able to give the fans gifts such as FIJI Water and FRU branded T-shirts.”

FIJI Water Flying Fijians half-back Frank Lomani said it was a humble experience to be back in his village which he will always cherish.