After defeat to the All Blacks and a less-than-convincing win over Argentina, the tests keep coming for Andy Farrell's Ireland, with an ever-improving Fiji in town this weekend.
Fiji's growth over the past few years has been mightily impressive, with the team reaching the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup for just the third time in 2023.
In recent days, the Fijian camp has made some bullish comments that will add spice to Saturday's test at Aviva Stadium.
However, any ill-will Fiji may have brought upon themselves with those comments may have been reprieved, after a brilliant video emerged of them using hurleys while practising their traditional Cibi war dance.
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Fiji use hurleys while practising Cibi
One of the highlights of any visit from Fiji to Dublin is the pre-match ritual war dance called the Cibi.
An ancient Fijian war dance, it was adopted by the national team in 1939 ahead of a trip to New Zealand, to rival the All Blacks' famous Haka. After an unbeaten tour, Fiji chose to permanently adopt the Cibi as part of their pre-match preparations - a very welcome choice.
The Cibi has just as much energy as the iconic Haka, and it will no doubt receive a fantastic reception even from the home fans ahead of Saturday afternoon's game in Dublin.
However, if Fiji were to perform the Cibi with hurleys at the Aviva Stadium, as they did at Friday's training session, they might just guarantee themselves a standing ovation.
Footage shared to Twitter by @ek_rugby showed members of the Fijian rugby team ahead of training on a bitterly cold GAA pitch this morning. With the surroundings, it was only fitting that they took hurleys in hand while practising the Cibi on a freezing Friday morning.
The club were honoured by a very special performance of the Cibi by the @fijirugby players which incorporated the @officialgaa hurley this morning. A special moment for all of the mentors and players present. #Fiji #GAA #Hurling #Blanchardstown #Castleknock #ClubIsFamily pic.twitter.com/fgeTXxbsML
— St. Brigid's GAA (@StBrigidsGAA) November 22, 2024
Many of the motions in the Cibi are almost akin to swinging a follow-through on a hurley, and it does not look out of place in the hands of the Fijian players.
The Fiji team were in St. Brigid's Russell Park ground in Castleknock, where they received a hurling demonstration from club members.
The club were delighted to welcome members of the @fijirugby squad to Russell Park this morning for a hurling demonstration. Plenty of smiles and laughs as the boys got to grips with art of hurling 1/2. @officialgaa#Fiji #GAA #Hurling #Blanchardstown #Castleknock #ClubIsFamily pic.twitter.com/KFexkarEi6
— St. Brigid's GAA (@StBrigidsGAA) November 22, 2024
It's a wonderful crossover between the cultures of these two countries, and we're lucky that it was captured on video.
No doubt the Aviva will be rocking when Fiji perform the real thing ahead of kick-off on Saturday.
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