Cibi Axing Questioned

Rinakama questions decision to scrap cibi

www.fijilive.com - November 13, 2009

Naitasiri coach and 2007 Rugby World Cup forwards coach, Joji Rinakama has questioned the removal of the traditional war dance, the cibi before Fiji’s match against Scotland on Sunday.

The Flying Fijians management reached a decision last night to opt out of the age long cibi before their opening Northern hemisphere tour match at Murrayfield.

“When people hear of Fiji playing, straight away they know, Fiji is wearing white and they will perform the cibi. It has always set us apart from everyone else, just like the New Zealand team with their haka and Samoa and Tonga with their traditional dance, the cibi has been with the Fiji team a long time – that’s part of our whole performance.”

“All I know is that Seremai Bai did not want to do the cibi. Since he is the captain, my question is did he influence this decision to remove the cibi from Fiji’s performance?” Rinakama said.

Bai who plies his trade for the French club Clermont had opted of the cibi during Fiji’s Pacific Nations Cup match against Samoa in June this year. He refused to take part in the cibi because of his religious beliefs.

“I want to know if the decision was unanimous,” Rinakama said.

Rinakama who is one of the most successful local coaches in Fiji said there was a lot of influence in the team, from the players and the management.

“There is a lot of religion in camp, I am not saying that it is a bad thing. Fijian rugby has always been known for divine intervention from above but lately we’ve been struck by this stand from players not to perform the cibi.”

“I am praying that the decision to opt out of the cibi was agreed by everyone because if it wasn’t then it will definently affect their performance,” he said.

Rinakama wished the team all the best against the Scots saying with or without the cibi, as long as the team performs.

“At the end of the day its their performance. A crack in the team relationship could ruin our chances of winning and I am praying the team is united in this decision.”

The game kicks off at 2:30am Sunday morning.

Fijilive