Emotional Fijians sing beautiful hymn

It sends shivers down the spine, every time. When Fiji link arms before doing battle on the football pitch and sing that hymn, I Jiova, the tears of the Bati flow.

While most of the Pacific Island nations begin their matches with a fierce haka or something similar the Fiji Bati put their faith in God, a big part of their team culture.

And so it was again tonight as the Fijians lined up against Australia in the Rugby League World Cup semi final in Brisbane.

Following anthems from both teams, the Fijians in tears during that as well, the teams separated.

It was then that the Fijians got close, got around each other, closed eyes or looked to the heavens, many of them pointing there as well and burst into song.

Fifteen burly footballers, averaging over 100kg each, about to throttle each other for 80 minutes on the field, with the voices of angels just minutes before.

It will be one of the endearing images of this World Cup, these Fijians who seem to take so much joy in each other’s company, with playing football the way it is meant to be, arm in arm, singing a hymn to the heavens.