Although some players had opted not to perform the cibi even before its removal from the team’s pre-match events, the decision to scrap it was controversial and the dance has now been reinstated.

Controversy surrounding the few teams who perform war dances before matches has been around for decades, though more often due to concern surrounding its effects on fair match play than the issues surrounding Fiji’s cibi last year. Despite Fiji’s temporary removal of their dance, most of the dances probably won’t be going anywhere any time soon, especially given the popularity of the New Zealand All Blacks’ haka dance.

How do you feel about the appropriateness of the dances performed by New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga? To help us dance in the New Year, have a look below and judge for yourself:

Fiji’s Cibi:

New Zealand’s Haka:

Samoa’s Siva Tau:

Tonga’s Sipi Tau:

And a video with Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga all together:

Among the most memorable Eels players for the American audience week in and week out must have been Tongan-born Fuifui Moimoi (who is also eligible to play for New Zealand internationally). He got audiences’ attention with hits so big that they can only be appreciated fully with the aid of science (sometimes a little too big), though his memorable name may have garnered as much notice from new viewers as his tremendous play.

If you found yourself becoming a new fan of Moimoi’s, but were as captivated by the cult figure’s interesting moniker as you were by his tremendous efforts, you’re not alone. Moimoi is the subject of a song focused on his name and acheivements, as seen below:

We assume he doesn’t mind the song because it will be playing when he enters the boxing ring for a charity match (the bout has been delayed by the Eels’ success). If you’re not a fan, though, you can see examples of Fuifui’s imposing play without the soundtrack:

Now and then, of course, Moimoi is on the receiving end as well:

Here’s hoping Spike TV and other U.S. networks see fit to show us more of Moimoi and the NRL’s other luminaries in the future!

That’s right, each of the six teams in the two smaller pools finished 1-1. In Pool 2, France started things off by beating Scotland 36-18. Then, Fiji spanked France 42-6. Scotland, however, bounced back and edged Fiji 18-16. In the end, only a favorable for-and-against scoring margin put Fiji atop the pool.

In Pool 3, it was more of the same. Tonga got by Ireland 22-20, Samoa beat Tonga 20-12, and Ireland completed the circle of parity with a 34-16 win over Samoa that also put them atop the table on points difference.

Don’t be too quick to write this tournament off as a mere formality preceding Australia’s coronation. If you do, you’ll miss a lot of good matches–like Fiji’s 30-14 win over Ireland in a playoff match that sees them into the semifinals along with the three top finishers in the “super” pool–and also sees them pick up a big payday. This weekend, Fiji will take on Australia in one semifinal while New Zealand plays England in the other. Meanwhile, Fiji’s tries from that playoff match with Ireland are below: