Vintage Fiji Rugby Shirt Classic Style

An Introduction to Vintage Fiji Rugby Shirt Classic Style

Vintage Fiji Rugby Shirt is our inspiration. Rugby is Fiji’s most popular sport with over 80,000 registered players from a total population of 950,000. The game was first played by Fijian and European soldiers of the Native Constabulary at Ba, on Viti Levu Island in around 1884. Some twenty-nine years later in 1913, the European settlers founded a Union.

Following their successful tour of California, the famous ‘All Blacks’ team on there way back to New Zealand stopped in Fiji to play the Fiji Union team which consisted of Europeans. The visitors comfortable defeated their hosts 67-5. Fiji’s only points came from PJ Sheehan their captain and coach.

In 1914 a ‘Fiji native competition’ started and the Union formed.

The first international game was Fiji v Western Samoa on the 18th August 1924 and stage in Apia, Samoa. The Fixture played in the early morning at 7 am. The fixture allowed the Samoan players time to get to work after the game. There was a large palm tree on the half way line which was challenging for the players of both teams. Fiji wore black and played barefoot and the final score was 6–0 to the Fijians..

There was a return fixture, but this time it went 9–3 to the Samoans. Tonga, a next destination for the Fijian Test team and they lost only once in Nukuʻalofa 9–6. It was the only time the tourists were defeated as they won the second test 14–3 then drew the decider 0–0. They won all six of the matches against the club teams.

Read More

During 1924 and 1938 Tonga and Fiji played three test series every other year. Games between these two proud Pacific Nations occasionally became heated reenacting ancient feuding wars between the Islanders. During the third Test of Fiji’s 1928 tour the game abandoned with Fiji up 11–8 to Tonga.

The New Zealand Māori team visited the island in 1938 and played a three-test series. The first test was an extremely tight game and it ended in a 3–3 draw, the second saw a better performance by the home team resulting in an 11–5 win for the Fijians. In the final test, the Māori just had the edge and won 6–3 to equal the series.

History made in 1939 as Fiji toured New Zealand for the first time. Fiji’s captain for the trip was Ratu Sir George Cakobau. To celebrate the team decided to create a war dance to rival the haka. Cakobau spoke to Ratu Bola, the high chief of the warrior clan of Navusaradave in Bau. The high chief taught them the cibi which has been Fiji’s ritual war dance ever since. Most Fijian players preferred to play barefoot and with their care-free spirit created history by becoming the first team to go through a full tour of New Zealand unbeaten. They won seven games and drew one, a record that stands to this day.

The Vintage Fiji Rugby Shirt is a vintage-inspired design incorporating a classic Fijian Crest as well as subtle Ellis Rugby branding. The classic Crest features on the left chest of this garment with Ellis Rugby branding on the arm and collar stand.

Manufacturing

Manufactured from satin touch 100% cotton, the Vintage Fijian Rugby Shirt features detailed embroidery on the crest patch. Also included on this garment is matching inner placket, cuffs and collar as well as herringbone detail on vents and velvet tape on the neck opening. In addition, a complex ‘5’ applique patch features on the back with the subtle Ellis Rugby branding on the collar stand and tone on tone logo on the arm.

As well as the Vintage Fiji Rugby Shirt we also offer a stylish Vintage Fiji Rugby Polo Shirt.

The available sizes are S – XL.