Fiji
Fiji received 'polite' rejection from Lions for 2017 Test
ESPN Staff
July 11, 2015
Fiji perform the Cibi war dance
Fiji perform the Cibi war dance© (Photo credit should read PETER PARKS/AFP/Getty Images)

Fiji received a "polite" rejection from the British & Irish Lions after they asked to host a Test against the touring side before they reach New Zealand in 2017.

Despite this Radrodro Tabualevu, the Chief Executive of Fijian Rugby Union, will continue in his quest to lure the Lions to his pacific islands.

The bold move comes after the All Blacks played their first ever Test match on Samoan soil, unconvincingly winning 25-16.

Australia may be the next Tier One nation to travel to the Pacific, with plans afoot for a clash there in the future.

And Tabualevu, who has a close connection to the last Lions versus Fiji fixture, is keen to make the match happen, even if goading is necessary.

"We sent in an email to them and we received a polite response to say, 'No, the schedule is too busy'," he told the Daily Mail.

"I have another email drafted and it is still sitting there on my computer. It would be cheeky of me to send it off but I might just do it; to remind the Lions that this is the only country (they've visited) that they've not beaten.

"It is neat that when they go to New Zealand in 2017, it will be 40 years since they lost to Fiji here. It is also neat that the 1977 Fiji team was coached by my father. I will put in the email, 'Now I am CEO you best come and beat my team, because my father's team beat you'.

"We will have our day! The Lions should know that Fiji is the only country they haven't beaten! It should be a bee in their bonnet. Our message to the Lions is, 'You can pass us by, but you will have to come back here one day, to redeem yourselves! You can't run forever!'."

© ESPN Staff

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