Fiji a Surprise Success at the Rugby League World Cup

by Jon Azpiri | November 10, 2008 at 12:59 pm

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Fiji has made it to the semi-finals of the Rugby League World Cup in Australia, helping raise the profile of the sport in a country that has long been obsessed with rugby union.

Fijian rugby fans tend to prefer rugby union, which is more widely played throughout the world. Their success in the 12th Rugby League World Cup, however, may lead Fijians to pick up the faster-paced Rugby League.

The country's pay-TV network ran out of satellite dishes before the 30-14 play-off win over Ireland which earned Fiji a semi-final against Australia.

"We've been going 16 years and have been looked down on, but after this league's our number one game," he said.

"The game was more important to us to win than Ireland. Everyone's watching."

Fiji will next face host country Australia, the team favored to take the 2008 title. Australia, which has long been a hotbed for rugby league, has won nine of 12 Rugby League World Cups and have won the last five in a row.