Fiji rugby players ordered to do 'haka'

Reuters

FRONTING UP: Fiji rugby players perform their traditional cibi challenge at the 1999 World Cup.

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Fiji's military regime has ordered its national rugby side to start performing again the equivalent of the All Black haka.

The side dropped the cibi or haka on its latest tour because its coach, Sam Domoni, belongs to a fundamentalist group, the New Methodist Church.

They regard cibi as a throw back to heathen days when it preceded cannibal feasts.

But on their just finished cibi-free European tour, the Fijians suffered a succession of big defeats.

Now, amidst alarm at how badly the side is doing, the military appointed President, Epeli Nailatikau, has stepped in and told the team they must do the cibi again.

He issued his directive at Government house as the Fiji Sevens side made a customary presentation or itatau ahead of leaving for the start of the International Rugby Board Sevens series in Dubai.

''When you come to present your itatau, tradition begins at Government House and the cibi must be performed,'' he said, according to a Fiji Government statement.

''It is simply a challenge ... get me or I get you'' he said.

''Fiji expects nothing less from you, you have the public's support but it expects you to perform your best and more so on behalf of all the people of Fiji, prepare yourself well and go forth to represent the nation.''

The sevens series begins on December 4.

- © Fairfax NZ News