Rugby union in French Polynesia
Encyclopedia
Rugby union
in French Polynesia
, particularly in the main island of Tahiti
, is a popular sport.
Traditionally, matches tend to be held in the evening rather than the afternoon, due to the tropical climate. Because of this, Tahitian rugby organisers tend to put on entertainment during the day, to keep visiting rugby players etc. happy.
Rugby came to Tahiti via three separate streams, firstly, through the visits of British, New Zealand and Australian sailors; secondly, through the French presence (many of the main teams are still French military); and thirdly through contact with neighbouring Pacific islands, where the game is popular.
Up to 2003, Tahiti played in international rugby sevens
(Pacific Games) and XV-a-side, in the qualifying rounds for the Rugby World Cup
.
In 2006, there were fourteen clubs in the national championship, and two divisions. There were also sevens competitions, women's rugby and under-18 rugby competitions as well.
The Tahiti national rugby union team
had its first internationals in 1997, losing 92-6 to Papua New Guinea
,
and 40-0 to the Cook Islands
. To be fair, the South Pacific is perhaps the toughest arena in World Rugby,
having not just the All Blacks
, but the likes of the Fiji
, Tonga
and Samoa national rugby union team
s all of which do well in the Rugby World Cup
.
Due to Tahiti being a territory of France, rugby players born in Tahiti are actually French citizens, making them eligible to represent France. The issue has been resolved with the IRB, giving the players themselves to choose which country they wish to represent.
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
in French Polynesia
French Polynesia
French Polynesia is an overseas country of the French Republic . It is made up of several groups of Polynesian islands, the most famous island being Tahiti in the Society Islands group, which is also the most populous island and the seat of the capital of the territory...
, particularly in the main island of Tahiti
Tahiti
Tahiti is the largest island in the Windward group of French Polynesia, located in the archipelago of the Society Islands in the southern Pacific Ocean. It is the economic, cultural and political centre of French Polynesia. The island was formed from volcanic activity and is high and mountainous...
, is a popular sport.
Traditionally, matches tend to be held in the evening rather than the afternoon, due to the tropical climate. Because of this, Tahitian rugby organisers tend to put on entertainment during the day, to keep visiting rugby players etc. happy.
History
Rugby isn't as popular in Tahiti, compared to the other Pacific Island nations. It has to compete with other popular sports such as Surfing, Outrigging, and of course Football (soccer).Rugby came to Tahiti via three separate streams, firstly, through the visits of British, New Zealand and Australian sailors; secondly, through the French presence (many of the main teams are still French military); and thirdly through contact with neighbouring Pacific islands, where the game is popular.
Up to 2003, Tahiti played in international rugby sevens
Rugby sevens
Rugby sevens, also known as seven-a-side or VIIs, is a variant of rugby union in which teams are made up of seven players, instead of the usual 15, with shorter matches. Rugby sevens is administered by the International Rugby Board , the body responsible for rugby union worldwide...
(Pacific Games) and XV-a-side, in the qualifying rounds for the Rugby World Cup
Rugby World Cup
The Rugby World Cup is an international rugby union competition organised by the International Rugby Board and held every four years since 1987....
.
In 2006, there were fourteen clubs in the national championship, and two divisions. There were also sevens competitions, women's rugby and under-18 rugby competitions as well.
National team
Lack of infrastructure and the dispersed nature of both the geography and population of Tahiti, has hindered international success.The Tahiti national rugby union team
Tahiti national rugby union team
The Tahiti national rugby union team is a third tier rugby union team, representing the island of Tahiti in French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France. They first played in 1971 and have played just 12 games to date, four against the Cook Islands and three against Niue. Other games have...
had its first internationals in 1997, losing 92-6 to Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea national rugby union team
The Papua New Guinea national rugby union team represent Papua New Guinea in the sport of rugby union. Nicknamed the Pukpuks, , they played their first international in 1966, defeating Vanuatu 47-3. Papua New Guinea have not so far qualified for a Rugby World Cup...
,
and 40-0 to the Cook Islands
Cook Islands national rugby union team
The Cook Islands is a third tier rugby union playing nation. They began playing international rugby in the early 1971. Thus far, the Cook Islands have not made an appearance at any of the World Cups.-History:...
. To be fair, the South Pacific is perhaps the toughest arena in World Rugby,
having not just the All Blacks
All Blacks
The New Zealand men's national rugby union team, known as the All Blacks, represent New Zealand in what is regarded as its national sport....
, but the likes of the Fiji
Fiji national rugby union team
The Fiji national rugby union team is a member of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance formerly along with Samoa and Tonga. In 2009, Samoa announced their departure from the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance, leaving just Fiji and Tonga. Fiji are ranked sixteenth in the world by the IRB as of 26...
, Tonga
Tonga national rugby union team
The Tonga national rugby union team is nicknamed Ikale Tahi . Like their Polynesian neighbours, the Tongans start their matches with a war dance – the Kailao . They are members of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance along with Fiji and Samoa...
and Samoa national rugby union team
Samoa national rugby union team
The Manu Samoa is the men's representative side of the Samoa Rugby Union in both the 15's and the 7's for international competitions. The Samoa Rugby Union is owned by the affiliated rugby unions of Samoa. In Samoa, Manu Samoa is in honour of a famous Samoan warrior. From 1924 to 1997 Samoa was...
s all of which do well in the Rugby World Cup
Rugby World Cup
The Rugby World Cup is an international rugby union competition organised by the International Rugby Board and held every four years since 1987....
.
Due to Tahiti being a territory of France, rugby players born in Tahiti are actually French citizens, making them eligible to represent France. The issue has been resolved with the IRB, giving the players themselves to choose which country they wish to represent.