Rugby league created an unlikely community of Fijians in Rochdale after the Hornets signed Fijian rugby stars Orisi Dawai and Joe Levula in 1961.

Since then many other Fijians have followed and the Rochdale Fijian Community now boasts hundreds of members.

Former Rochdale Hornets and Fiji international Mike Ratu Senior said that it is his “dream” to see his country play in his adopted home and he hopes that “the whole town will be Fijian” come kickoff.

They could be out in force when the Vodafone Fiji Bati take on Ireland in their World Cup Group A game.

Meanwhile,  England suffered a shock 15-14 loss to Italy in their Rugby League World Cup warm-up match.

England has not won the World Cup since 1972.

The upset result follows USA’s 22-18 win over France yesterday.

The defending champions New Zealand thrashed the Cook Islands 50-nil in their warm-up game while the Vodafone Fiji Bati hammered Rochdale Hornets 78-nil.

The Rugby League World Cup kicks off this Sunday with Fiji taking on Ireland next Tuesday at 7am.


Story by: Aliki Bia