Niue. Huh?
Ja. Ja. I know you had that very same question when you saw the fixture list for the Wellington, New Zealand Sevens. Pool B: New Zealand, Australia, Wales and Niue.
Thankfully you have me… with lots of time on my hands and access to Google & WikiPedia on several computers. So here’s the low-down:
Niue (pronounced /ˈnjuːeɪ / in English) is an island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean. It is commonly known as the “Rock of Polynesia“. Natives of the island call it “the Rock“.
Though self governing, Niue is in free association with New Zealand, and thus lacks full sovereignty. Queen Elizabeth II is also Niue’s head of state. Most diplomatic relations are conducted by New Zealand on Niue’s behalf.
Niue is 2,400 kilometres northeast of New Zealand in a triangle between Tonga, Samoa, and the Cook Islands. The people are predominantly Polynesian. (WikiPedia)
Like most of the islands in this part of the world, its not surprising that rugby is the most popular sport on Niue. WikiPedia goes on to say:
Despite Niue being a small country, a number of different sports are popular there. Rugby union is a popular sport in Niue played both by men and women; as of 2008, Niue are the current FORU Oceania Cup champions.
I searched a little further and found this surprising fact:
Niue is a tier three rugby union playing nation. They began playing international rugby in the 1950s and have yet to make the Rugby World Cup. Teams from Niue have competed in the Commonwealth games.
When Niue competed in the 2001 Wellington 7s, they took a completely local-based squad, and though they scored tries against England and Canada, they were crushed in most games. Infamously, they surprised everyone by beating Japan 31-19 in 2002.
Whoa! I’ve seen the Japanese play Sevens during the last Hong Kong Sevens as well as the 2008 Asian Qualifiers for Sevens RWC, and that’s no mean feat ek sê! Granted, the men from the-land-of-the-rising-sun are no longer small and even sport a few “imports” themselves. What I am saying is that the Nuie-blokes probably deserve their Pool-placing and should be treated with kid-gloves.
Away from rugby, if you’re thinking of your next holiday break-away and Thailand seems too “rough”… why not give Niue a chance? If these pics are anything to go, you will not be disappointed! Maybe you’ll get to scrum against one or two of their National Sevens players on the beach!
“Scully… is that you?”
Read more about the place they call Nuie here
