Fiji’s Ratu Joni laid to rest

FIJI – Fiji’s former vice president, the Roko Tui Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi, has been buried on his home island of Bau.

Ratu Joni, a legal expert who has held highly respected positions in many of the region’s countries, died in Suva last week.

As many as 2,000 people gathered at the chiefly burial site on the island, where he was interred in the same chamber as his late father.

A one-hundred gun salute was accorded to the former vice-president.

Among foreign dignitaries at the funeral were the King of Tonga and the president of Nauru where Ratu Joni was the Chief Justice. - RNZI

Fiji refs to officiate in World Sevens

FIJI – Two Fijian rugby referees have been selected to officiate in the upcoming World Sevens Series.

Kaveni Talemaivavalagi and Tevita Rokovereni have been named in a new-look panel of whistle blowing officials to referee on the men’s circuit, which kicks off in Dubai in December.

Talemaivavalagi, a 27-year-old teacher, started refereeing while still in sixth form at Laucala Bay High School but has built up a lot of sevens experience over the past decade.

Talemaivavalagi said he had spoken with the selectors, led by World Rugby High Performance Sevens referee manager Paddy O’Brien.

He said he had given thanks to God and the Fiji rugby sevens community for helping he and Rokovereni earn the opportunity to perform at the elite level.

“Here at home we have lots of sevens tournaments going on. I refereed in the Fiji International Sevens, the Oceania Sevens in Auckland and Sydney, in the Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa, the Pacific Games in Papua New Guinea, the Mini Games in Wallis and Futuna,” Talemaivavalagi said.

- Fiji Times