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Fiji sevens caught up in political row over use of Melrose Cup

Fiji's player Joseva Talacolo (C) waves the trophy from a truck as he celebrates with teammates the victory in the Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament upon arriving in Suva on September 16, 2022. (Photo by Leon LORD / AFP) (Photo by LEON LORD/AFP via Getty Images)

The Fiji Rugby World Cup Sevens winning squad has found itself embroiled in a political row over the use of the trophy and have reportedly had gifts of land withdrawn following their triumph in Cape Town.

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The Fiji Rugby Union has become concerned that the Melrose Cup is being used for political purposes in unsanctioned celebrations of the triumph achieved in South Africa with a 29-12 win over New Zealand in final.

Fiji Rugby Chairman Commodore Humphrey Tawake said “Political parties, groups and individuals are reminded to act professionally and responsibly and not use the RWC 7s win and players for their personal and political advantage.

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“The Fiji Rugby 7s players are professional players who are strictly guided by a Code of Conduct. The general public is advised that the appearance of Fiji 7s players and the display of the Melrose Cup will only occur in FRU sanctioned events.”

The FRU issued a statement due to the growing concerns saying: “It has come to light that certain political parties, groups and individuals are trying to use the Fiji Airways Fijian Fiji 7s Team win at the RWC in Cape Town for political mileage under the disguise of a celebration.

“Players and Management have been directed to refrain from participating or being personally involved in any political party events, meetings, gatherings, or public relations.

“FRU is mindful that since the national event on 16th September to celebrate the Rugby World Cup win in South Africa, players’ families and relatives have conducted their own celebrations in the comfort of their respective villages and communities.”

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Meanwhile the Fiji Times reports that a Suva-based company’s offer to gift members of the Fiji 7s team residential lots to build their homes after their win in the Rugby World Cup Sevens in South Africa has been withdrawn after the FRU expressed concerns.

China Village Estate Development wanted to honour the RWC Sevens Cup players by giving residential lots from their sub-division at Lokia in Rewa. The company offered to gift 14 lots to the players plus the coaches which could cost about $2 million.

The company said they wanted to present residential lots with 99 years native lease agreements at their sub-division as gifts.

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BH 14 minutes ago
TJ Perenara clarifies reference to the Treaty in All Blacks' Haka

Nope you're both wrong. Absolutely 100% wrong. You two obviously know nothing about NZ history, or the Treaty which already gives non-Māori "equal" rights. You are ignorant to what the Crown have already done to Māori. I've read it multiple times, attended the magnificent hikoi and witnessed a beautiful moment of Māori and non-Māori coming together in a show of unity against xenophobia and a tiny minority party trying to change a constitutional binding agreement between the Crown and Māori. The Crown have hundreds of years of experience of whitewashing our culture, trying to remove the language and and take away land and water rights that were ours but got stolen from. Māori already do not have equal rights in all of the stats - health, education, crime, etc. The Treaty is a binding constitutional document that upholds Māori rights and little Seymour doesn't like that. Apparently he's not even a Māori anyway as his tribes can't find his family tree connection LOL!!!


Seymour thinks he can change it because he's a tiny little worm with small man syndrome who represents the ugly side of NZ. The ugly side that wants all Māori to behave, don't be "radical" or "woke", and just put on a little dance for a show. But oh no they can't stand up for themselves against oppression with a bill that is a waste of time and money that wants to cause further division in their own indigenous country.


Wake up to yourselves. You can't pick and choose what parts of Māori culture you want and don't want when it suits you. If sport and politics don't mix then why did John Key do the 3 way handshake at the RWC 2011 final ceremony? Why is baldhead Luxon at ABs games promoting himself? The 1980s apartheid tour was a key example of sports and politics mixing together. This is the same kaupapa. You two sound like you support apartheid.

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