fbpx
Wikipedia

Fiji national rugby union team

The Fiji national rugby union team represents Fiji in men's international rugby union competes every four years at the Rugby World Cup, and their best performances were the 1987 and 2007 tournaments when they defeated Argentina and Wales respectively to reach the quarterfinals. Fiji also regularly plays test matches during the June and November test windows. Fiji also plays in the Pacific Tri-Nations, and has won the most Pacific Tri-Nations Championships of the three participating teams.

Fiji
Nickname(s)Flying Fijians
EmblemPalm tree
UnionFiji Rugby Union
Head coachVacant
CaptainWaisea Nayacalevu
Most capsNicky Little (71)
Top scorerNicky Little (670)
Top try scorerVereniki Goneva (22)
Home stadiumANZ National Stadium
First colours
Second colours
World Rugby ranking
Current11 (as of 9 June 2022)
Highest8 (2018, 2019)
Lowest16 (2011, 2012)
First international
Western Samoa 0–6 Fiji 
(Apia, Samoa; 18 August 1924)
Biggest win
 Fiji 124–4 Niue 
(Apia, Samoa; 10 September 1983)
Biggest defeat
 New Zealand 91–0 Fiji 
(Auckland, New Zealand; 10 June 2005)
World Cup
Appearances9 (First in 1987)
Best resultQuarterfinals (1987, 2007)
Websitefijirugby.com

Fiji is one of the few countries where rugby union is the main sport. There are approximately 80,000 registered players from a total population of around 950,000. One obstacle for Fiji is simply getting their rugby players to play for the national team, as many have contracts in Europe or with Super Rugby teams where the money is far more rewarding. The repatriated salaries of its overseas stars have become an important part of some local economies.

The cibi (pronounced [ˈðimbi]) war dance is performed by the Fiji rugby team before each Test match. It has been used on the rugby field since 1939, though its origins date back to the country's warring times with its Pacific neighbours.

History

 
Fiji presenting Cibi before 2011 Rugby World Cup match against South Africa.

Early years

Rugby was first played in Fiji by European and Fijian soldiers of the Native Constabulary at Ba, on Viti Levu Island in 1884. In 1913 a Union was founded for the European settlers.

In December 1913, the All Blacks, who had been touring so very successfully in California, were on their way back to New Zealand. The Fiji RFU arranged a game with them at Albert Park, the first representative match to be played in the colony. The Fiji team were Europeans. The All Blacks won 67–3; Fiji's points came from a try scored by their captain and coach, PJ Sheehan. By 1914 a 'native competition' was started and in 1915 a Fiji Native Union was begun and became affiliated to the Fiji RFU.

Inter-war period

 
Fiji team in 1924

Fiji played their first international against Western Samoa in Apia, Samoa on 18 August 1924. Fiji's 20-man squad came exclusively from the five registered native clubs of the time. The match was played at 7 am to allow the Samoans time to get to work afterwards and was played on a pitch with a large tree on the halfway line. Fiji wore black and won 6–0 despite playing barefoot. The return match was won 9–3 by Samoa to draw the series. The first-ever Fiji test team continued their overseas adventure with a nine-match tour of Tonga. Though Fiji lost the first test played in Nukuʻalofa 9–6, they were not to lose again, taking the second test 14–3 then drawing the decider 0–0. They won all six of the matches against non-test opposition.

Auckland University College were the first overseas side to visit Fiji in 1926, The Kiwi students played the Fiji Europeans and finished the three-match series with a win, loss and draw. Tonga also visited Fiji that year and for the first time Fiji played in their present strip of white jersey, palm tree badge and black shorts. The three match series finished level with Tonga winning the first test 9–6; Fiji winning the second 14–3 and the final game a 0–0 draw.

During the 1927 season, a General Meeting was called for the purpose of arranging a return visit to New Zealand at the invitation of Auckland University. Some 30 players expressed their willingness to make the trip, but after all arrangements had been made, there were insufficient players available so management cancelled the trip, much to the regret of Auckland.

 
Fiji team in 1932

Between 1924 and 1938 Fiji and Tonga played three test series every alternate year. During this period this was the only representative rugby union that Fiji played. Matches between the two Pacific nations were hard fought; many have claimed that the ancient feuding wars between the Islanders were transplanted onto the rugby field. Troubles during the third Test of Fiji's 1928 tour to Tonga forced the game to be abandoned with Tonga losing 11–8.

The first New Zealand Māori team to visit Fiji came in 1938. Fijians played in boots for the first time but there was still a tendency to take off boots during the match and throw them to the touch-line. On the five-match tour, the Māori beat Fiji 2nd XV and Fiji Europeans before playing a three match series. The first test ended in a 3–3 draw, the second an 11–5 win for the Fijians and the Māori won the final test 6–3 to square the series.

 
Fiji team in 1939

In 1939 Fiji toured New Zealand for the first time. Fiji's captain for that tour, Ratu Sir George Cakobau, decided that his side should have a war dance to rival the haka. He approached Ratu Bola, the high chief of the warrior clan of Navusaradave in Bau, who taught them the cibi which has been Fiji's pre-match ritual ever since. With many players still preferring to play barefoot, the Fijians played with a care-free spirit and created history by becoming the first team to go through a full tour of New Zealand unbeaten, winning seven and drawing one, a record that stands to this day. They played and beat the Māori again 14–4.

Post-war era

 
Fiji team in 1948

Fiji successfully toured New Zealand again in 1951. They beat the New Zealand Māori 21–14. Fiji's first tour of Australia helped the Australian Rugby Union recover from the brink of bankruptcy in 1952. The Test series was drawn 1–1 in front of record crowds. Australia won the first test 15–9 but the Fijians took the second with a 17–15 win.

A second tour of Australia took place in 1954 and again drew record crowds. Again Australia won the first test but only by 22–19. The test series was drawn 1–1 after Fiji won the second test 18–16. The same year Fiji played host to Western Samoa. Fiji toured New Zealand again in 1957 and beat the Māoris 36–13 in Dunedin and 17–8 in Wellington, then defeated a strong Auckland team 38–17.

 
Fiji team in 1964

In 1964 Fiji toured Europe for the first time, they played five memorable games in Wales, culminating in a classic encounter in Cardiff that was talked about for years. Wales won 28–22 but conceded six tries for just the second time in their history. In 1970 a rampant Fijian side destroyed the Barbarians 29–9 at Gosforth. A last-minute try saw New Zealand safely through 14–13 over Fiji in Suva in 1974.

In August 1977 the British Lions made a stopover in Fiji on the way home from their tour of New Zealand. Fiji beat them 25–21 at Buckhurst Park, Suva. In 1982 Fiji beat Vancouver XV to begin a 15-match winning streak through to 1984.

Modern era

Fiji played their first full test against Wales in Cardiff in 1985, the home pack dominating in a 40–3 win with two tries to Phil Davies. Fiji were also heavily beaten by Llanelli and Cardiff, but lost by just one point in their test with Ireland.

Wales visited Suva the following year, where captain Dai Pickering's summer tour was to a premature end when he suffered concussion. Richard Moriarty took over and saw his side's 13–0 lead cut to a single point before Wales pulled away for a 15–22 win.

In 1987 Fiji made the quarter-final of the Rugby World Cup and seemed close to beating France according to the match referee, at one point even leading 4-3, but were eventually ground down by the French 31-16. [1]

In 1991 Rugby World Cup Fiji lost all three of its matches and finished bottom of its pool. Wales' third test win over Fiji came in Suva in 1994. The tourists fielded a weakened line-up to allow all their squad a game, but they were good enough to run out 23–8 victors.

Fiji had a troubled tour of Wales and Ireland in 1995, losing six of nine games with defeat to Neath, Cardiff and Pontypridd. However, they managed to run Wales close at the Arms Park, losing only 15–19 win. They failed to qualify for the 1995 World Cup having lost to Tonga and Western Samoa.

Fiji rebuilt ahead of the 1999 World Cup, new coach Brad Johnstone instilling discipline and determination into their set-piece play. They made a winning start by beating Canada and Namibia and again seemed about to beat France in Toulouse when things went wrong. A controversial refereeing performance from Paddy O'Brien was felt to have cost them a win over France, Fiji losing 28–19. They did make the quarter-final play-off but lost 45–24 to the combative games; England at Twickenham. Soon after the tournament Johnstone departed for Italy.

In 2001 Fiji were crowned Pacific Rim champions, defeating Samoa 28–17 in the final in Tokyo. Fiji's played Wales again at the Millennium Stadium in November 2002. Two tries and 21 points from the boot of Stephen Jones helped the home side to a comfortable 58–14 win.

Fiji began their 2003 Rugby World Cup qualifying campaign in June 2002 when the three leading Pacific Island nations faced each other in a round robin in the second round of the Oceania zone qualifiers. The Fijians started with defeats of Samoa and Tonga, but their loss to Samoa on home soil meant that they had to beat Tonga by more than 20 points to finish top of the pool. This they duly did with a 47–20 win in Nadi. At the World Cup they beat Japan 41–13 and narrowly survived a scare against the US Eagles winning 19–18. However a 20–22 loss against Scotland and an 18–61 beating by France saw them finish third in their pool and fail to qualify for the knock-out stage.

Results since have been mixed for Fiji. Although they have traditionally been the strongest of the Pacific Nations, they were beaten 29–27 by New Zealand Maori in 2004 and went down 91–0 by the All Blacks. In July 2005, five Fiji internationals were banned from playing international rugby for the rest of the year following a drunken brawl in Japan after a Pacific Five Nations match. [1] Their 2007 season started off as one of Fiji's worst seasons. They had a very inexperienced team and lost to both pacific rivals Tonga and Samoa, and suffered heavy defeats to Australia and the Junior All Blacks. The only win for Fiji at the 2007 "Pacific 6 Nations" was against Japan, however they did manage an unexpected 14–14 draw against Australia A. With most of Fiji's more experienced players back in the team Fiji slowly improved in the 2007 world cup to qualify for the quarter finals for the first time in 20 years.

2007 Rugby World Cup

Fiji were placed in Pool B of the 2007 Rugby World Cup along with Wales, Canada, Japan and Australia. After beating Japan and Canada in close matches, Fiji rested several key players against Australia for the crucial game against Wales. Australia defeated Fiji by 55–12. Fiji's fate in the tournament came down to a "winner advances" game against Wales which Fiji won 38–34 and qualified for the quarter-finals for the second time. Former Wallaby great Michael Lynagh described the see-sawing match as one of the best matches "of all time". Fiji lost their quarter final match against South Africa, however their above expectations performance in the tournament resulted in them moving up to 9th in the world rankings – their highest ever position. Shannon Fraser and Gregg Mumm from Australia acted as assistant coaches for the period leading up to the world cup and were accredited for much of the Fijians side's success.[citation needed]

2011 Rugby World Cup

Fiji was placed in Pool D of the 2011 Rugby World Cup along with South Africa, Wales, Samoa and Namibia. Fiji won their first match against Namibia with 49–25. But it could not manage to repeat 2007 World Cup performance. They lost to South Africa, Wales and Samoa with huge margins. Final scores were 3–49 against South Africa, 7–27 against Samoa & 0–66 against Wales.[8]

Wins against Tier 1 nations

9 August 1952 Australia   15–17   Fiji   Sydney Cricket Ground  
Try: Cox
Shehadie
Stapleton
Windon
Drop: Solomon
Report Try: Ralagi
Salabogi
Con: Vatubua
Pen: Vatubua
Ranavue
Drop: Ranavue
Attendance: 42,004
Referee:   Don Furness (Australia)
26 June 1954 Australia   16–18   Fiji   Sydney Cricket Ground  
Try: Cross
Shehadie
Con: Barker (2)
Pen: Barker (2)
Report Try: Saukuru
Seruvatu
Pen: Nawalu
Ranavue (3)
Attendance: 33,099
Referee:   Don Furness (Australia)
14 June 1980 Fiji   16–3   Italy   National Stadium, Suva  
24 May 1987 Argentina   9–28   Fiji   Rugby Park, Hamilton  
Try: Travaglini
Con: Porta
Pen: Porta
Report Try: Gale
Naivilawasa
Savai
Nalaga
Con: Koroduadua (2)
Rokowailoa
Pen: Koroduadua
Attendance: 12,000
Referee:   Jim Fleming (Scotland)
26 May 1998 Fiji   51–26   Scotland   National Stadium, Suva  
Try: Lasagavibau (3)
Naevo
Veitayaki
Waqabitu
Con: Little
Serevi (4)
Pen: Little
Serevi
Report Try: Bulloch
Gilmour
Con: Lee (2)
Pen: Lee (4)
Attendance: 20,000
Referee:   Paul Honiss (New Zealand)
28 August 1999 Italy   32–50   Fiji   Stadio Tommaso Fattori, L'Aquila  
Try: Checchinato
Martin
Pucciariello
Con: Domínguez
Pen: Domínguez (5)
Report Try: Satala (2)
Serevi
Tiko
Vunibaka
Con: Little (5)
Pen: Little (5)
Attendance: 5,000
Referee:   Stewart Piercy (England)
15 July 2000 Fiji   43–9   Italy   Churchill Park, Lautoka  
Try: Ligairi
Little
Raiwalui
Satala
Vunibaka
Con: Little (3)
Pen: Little (4)
Report Pen: Mazzariol
Pez (2)
Attendance: 11,000
Referee:   Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
17 July 2006 Fiji   29–18   Italy   Churchill Park, Lautoka  
Try: Caucaunibuca
Ligairi
Rauluni
Salabogi
Con: Bai (3)
Pen: Bai
Report Try: Lo Cicero
Parisse
Con: Pez
Pen: Pez (2)
Referee:   Marius Jonker (South Africa)
29 September 2007 Wales   34–38   Fiji   Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes  
Try: Popham 34' c
S Williams 45' c
G Thomas 48' m
M Jones 51' c
M Williams 73' m
Con: Hook (1/1)
S Jones (2/4)
Pen: S Jones (1/2) 5'
Report Try: Qera 16' c
Delasau 19' m
Leawere 25' c
Dewes 77' c
Con: Little (3/4)
Pen: Little (4/5) 21', 24' 54', 60'
Attendance: 37,080
Referee:   Stuart Dickinson (Australia)
7 June 2014 Fiji   25–14   Italy   National Stadium, Suva[2]  
15:10 FJT (UTC+12) Try: Nadolo 19' m
Waqaniburotu 66' c
Nalaga 79' c
Con: Ralulu (0/1)
Nadolo (2/2) 62', 79'
Pen: Ralulu (0/1)
Nadolo (2/2) 65', 71'

(In Italian)
Try: Penalty Try (2) 9' c, 76' c
Con: Orquera (2/2) 10', 76'
Pen: Orquera (0/2)
Attendance: 12,000
Referee: JP Doyle (England)
17 June 2017 Fiji   22–19   Italy   National Stadium, Suva  
14:40 FJT (UTC+12) Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
24 June 2017 Fiji   27–22   Scotland   ANZ National Stadium, Suva  
14:30 FJT (UTC+12) Try: Yato 37' m
Seniloli 62' c
Con: Volavola (1/2) 63'
Pen: Volavola (5/6) 25', 36', 46', 56', 68'
Try: Ford 30' c
Jackson 53' c
Brown 75' m
Con: Jackson (2/3) 31', 54'
Pen: Jackson (1/1) 61'
Referee: Pascal Gaüzère (France)
24 November 2018 France   14–21   Fiji   Stade de France, Saint-Denis  
21:05 CET (UTC+1) Try: Guirado 25'c, 45' c
Con: Serin (2/2) 25', 46'
Pen: Serin (0/1)
Try: Radradra 21' c
Tuisova 31' m
Con: Volavola (1/2) 21'
Pen: Volavola (3/4) 44', 58', 82'
Attendance: 42 200
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)

In addition, Fiji drew with Australia 3-3 on 1 July 1961 at the Olympic Park Stadium, Melbourne, Australia, as well as 16-16 with Wales on 19 November 2010 at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales.

Record

Top 20 as of 13 February 2023[3]
Rank Change* Team Points
1     Ireland 091.33
2     France 089.38
3     New Zealand 088.98
4     South Africa 088.97
5     Scotland 083.36
6     England 082.27
7     Australia 081.80
8     Argentina 080.72
9     Wales 077.73
10     Japan 077.39
11     Samoa 076.03
12     Italy 075.83
13     Georgia 075.19
14     Fiji 074.84
15     Tonga 071.21
16     Spain 067.17
17     Uruguay 066.24
18     Portugal 065.98
19     United States 065.92
20     Romania 065.42
21     Namibia 061.60
22     Chile 060.89
23     Canada 060.46
24     Hong Kong 059.66
25     Russia 058.06
26     Belgium 055.35
27     Brazil 055.23
28     Switzerland 053.80
29     Netherlands 053.12
30     Poland 053.02
* Change from the previous week
Fiji's historical rankings
See or edit source data.
Source: World Rugby[3]
Graph updated to 13 February 2023

Below is table of the representative rugby matches played by a Fiji national XV at test level up until 28 October 2022.[4]

Opponent Played Won Lost Drawn Win % For Aga Diff
  Argentina 4 1 3 0 25.0% 96 130 −34
  Australia 22 2 19 1 9.0% 269 650 −381
Barbarian 3 1 2 0 33.37% 59 114 −55
  Belgium 1 1 0 0 100.0% 76 0 +76
British and Irish Lions 1 1 0 0 100.0% 25 21 +4
  Canada 12 9 3 0 75.0% 409 221 +188
  Canada XV 1 1 0 0 100.0% 13 3 +10
  Chile 1 1 0 0 100.0% 41 16 +25
 Classic All Blacks 1 1 0 0 100.0% 33 14 +19
  Cook Islands 2 2 0 0 100.0% 161 13 +148
  England 7 0 7 0 0.0% 109 303 −194
  England XV 3 0 3 0 0.0% 38 92 −54
  France 10 1 9 0 10.0% 132 371 −239
  France XV 1 0 1 0 0.0% 4 13 −9
  Georgia 7 4 1 2 57.14% 177 112 +65
  Hong Kong 3 3 0 0 100.0% 155 33 +122
  Ireland 4 0 4 0 0.0% 51 172 −121
  Ireland XV 2 0 2 0 0.0% 15 24 −9
  Italy 12 6 6 0 50.0% 275 282 −7
  Japan 18 14 4 0 77.8% 488 346 +142
  Namibia 2 2 0 0 100.0 116 43 +73
  Māori All Blacks 29 7 20 2 24.1% 383 517 −134
  New Zealand 7 0 7 0 0.00% 86 481 −395
  New Zealand XV 5 0 5 0 0.00% 25 155 −130
  Niue 1 1 0 0 100.0% 120 4 +116
  Papua New Guinea 3 3 0 0 100.0% 253 3 +250
  Portugal 2 2 0 0 100.0% 62 30 +32
  Romania 3 2 1 0 66.7% 70 42 +28
  Samoa 54 30 21 3 55.6% 1069 944 +125
  Scotland 8 2 6 0 25.0% 189 258 −69
  Scotland XV 2 0 2 0 0.0% 22 53 −31
  Solomon Islands 2 2 0 0 100.0% 199 13 +186
  South Africa 3 0 3 0 0.0% 41 129 −88
  Spain 2 2 0 0 100.0% 82 33 +49
  Tonga 93 63 27 3 67.7% 1845 1237 +608
  United States 6 5 1 0 83.3% 143 97 +46
  Uruguay 4 3 1 0 75.0% 181 76 +105
  Wales 13 1 11 1 7.69% 185 396 −211
  Wales XV 3 0 3 0 0.0% 33 67 −34
Total 357 173 172 12 48.46% 7730 7509 +221

World Cup record

World Cup record World Cup Qualification record
Year Round P W D L F A P W D L F A
   1987 Quarter-finals 4 1 0 3 72 132 Automatically qualified
    1991 Pool Stage 3 0 0 3 27 63
  1995 did not qualify 2 1 0 1 26 34
  1999 Play-off 4 2 0 2 148 113 2 2 0 0 73 17
  2003 Pool Stage 4 2 0 2 98 114 4 3 0 1 123 80
  2007 Quarter-finals 5 3 0 2 134 173 4 3 0 1 74 83
  2011 Pool Stage 4 1 0 3 59 167 Automatically qualified
  2015 Pool stage 4 1 0 3 84 101 1 1 0 0 108 6
  2019 Pool stage 4 1 0 3 110 108 4 4 0 0 101 60
  2023 qualified Automatically qualified
  2027 to be determined Qualification not started
  2031
Total 9/10 32 11 0 21 732 971 17 14 0 3 505 280

Kit history

Fiji traditionally plays with a home kit consisting of a white shirt, black shorts and black and white hooped socks. The away kit traditionally used to be a white and black hooped shirt with white shorts and hooped socks, although since KooGa's tenure as supplier, colours such as light blue or black were used. Since 2010, some jerseys started to have patterns similar to those found on the masi cloths on the jersey designs.

Kit Suppliers:

Sponsors:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1987 Home
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1991 Home
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1999-03 Home
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1999 Alternate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2007 Home
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2011 Home
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2015 Home
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2017 Home
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2019 Home
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2020 Home
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2021 Home

Players

Current squad

On 17 October, head coach Vern Cotter named a 31-man squad for their 2022 End-of-Year tour, playing against Scotland, Ireland and the French Barbarians.[5]

Head Coach:   Vern Cotter

  • Caps Updated: 5 November 2022
Player Position Date of birth (age) Caps Club/province
Mesu Dolokoto Hooker (1995-01-21) 21 January 1995 (age 28) 11   Fijian Drua
Tevita Ikanivere Hooker (1999-09-06) 6 September 1999 (age 23) 4   Fijian Drua
Sam Matavesi Hooker (1992-01-13) 13 January 1992 (age 31) 23   Northampton Saints
Lee-Roy Atalifo Prop (1988-03-10) 10 March 1988 (age 34) 17   Edinburgh
Haereiti Hetet Prop (1997-07-10) 10 July 1997 (age 25) 4   Fijian Drua
Eroni Mawi Prop (1996-06-02) 2 June 1996 (age 26) 20   Saracens
Livai Natave Prop (1999-04-20) 20 April 1999 (age 23) 1   Fijian Drua
Manasa Saulo Prop (1989-04-06) 6 April 1989 (age 33) 50   Fijian Drua
Luke Tagi Prop (1997-06-23) 23 June 1997 (age 25) 7   Provence
Temo Mayanavanua Lock (1997-11-09) 9 November 1997 (age 25) 7   Lyon
Isoa Nasilasila Lock (1999-09-13) 13 September 1999 (age 23) 2   Fijian Drua
Api Ratuniyarawa Lock (1986-07-11) 11 July 1986 (age 36) 41   London Irish
Ratu Leone Rotuisolia Lock (1998-02-21) 21 February 1998 (age 24) 1   Fijian Drua
Kitione Kamikamica Back row (1996-04-27) 27 April 1996 (age 26) 4   Racing 92
Viliame Mata Back row (1991-10-22) 22 October 1991 (age 31) 21   Edinburgh
Albert Tuisue Back row (1993-06-06) 6 June 1993 (age 29) 16   Gloucester
Simione Kuruvoli Scrum-half (1999-01-02) 2 January 1999 (age 24) 2   Fijian Drua
Frank Lomani Scrum-half (1996-04-18) 18 April 1996 (age 26) 22   Fijian Drua
Ratu Peni Matawalu Scrum-half (1997-07-08) 8 July 1997 (age 25) 3   Fijian Drua
Sireli Maqala Fly-half (2000-03-20) 20 March 2000 (age 22) 1   Bayonne
Teti Tela Fly-half (1991-03-07) 7 March 1991 (age 31) 3   Fijian Drua
Levani Botia Centre (1989-03-14) 14 March 1989 (age 33) 22   La Rochelle
Vilimoni Botitu Centre (1998-06-15) 15 June 1998 (age 24) 5   Castres
Waisea Nayacalevu (c) Centre (1990-06-26) 26 June 1990 (age 32) 31   Toulon
Semi Radradra Centre (1992-06-13) 13 June 1992 (age 30) 11   Bristol Bears
Kalaveti Ravouvou Centre (1998-06-06) 6 June 1998 (age 24) 2   Fijian Drua
Vinaya Habosi Wing (2000-01-30) 30 January 2000 (age 23) 3   Fijian Drua
Manasa Mataele Wing (1996-11-27) 27 November 1996 (age 26) 3   Western Force
Jiuta Wainiqolo Wing (1999-03-10) 10 March 1999 (age 23) 3   Toulon
Kini Murimurivalu Fullback (1989-05-15) 15 May 1989 (age 33) 34   Leicester Tigers
Seta Tuicuvu Fullback (1995-09-07) 7 September 1995 (age 27) 10   Brive

Player records

Most caps

# Player Pos Span Mat Start Sub Won Lost Draw %
1 Nicky Little Fly-half 1996–2011 71 60 11 37 34 0 52.11
2 Leone Nakarawa Lock 2009–2021 66 61 5 34 30 2 52.34
3 Akapusi Qera Flanker 2005–2018 64 55 9 32 30 2 51.56
4 Campese Ma'afu Prop 2010–2019 62 52 10 31 29 2 51.61
5 Vereniki Goneva Centre 2007–2019 59 49 10 28 29 2 49.15
6 Sunia Koto Hooker 2005–2017 57 47 10 30 26 1 53.50
7 Seremaia Bai Centre 2000–2016 53 50 3 27 25 1 51.88
8 Manasa Saulo Prop 2012- 51 38 13 27 23 1 56.38
Dominiko Waqaniburotu Flanker 2010–2019 51 49 2 28 23 0 54.90
10 Jacob Rauluni Scrum-half 1995–2006 49 40 9 26 23 0 53.06
Joeli Veitayaki Prop 1994–2003 49 45 4 26 23 0 53.06

Last updated: Ireland vs Fiji, 12 November 2022. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

Most tries

# Player Pos Span Mat Start Sub Pts Tries
1 Vereniki Goneva Centre 2007–2019 59 49 10 110 22
Nemani Nadolo Wing 2010–present 32 30 2 237 22
3 Sanivalati Laulau Wing 1980–1985 32 32 0 80 20
4 Norman Ligairi Fullback 2000–2010 47 39 8 85 17
5 Timoci Nagusa Wing 2008–2018 33 26 7 80 16
Viliame Satala Centre 1999–2005 29 27 2 80 16
7 Fero Lasagavibau Wing 1997–2002 23 20 3 75 15
8 Leone Nakarawa Lock 2009–2021 66 61 5 65 13
Metuisela Talebula Wing 2012–2018 24 22 2 73 13
Aisea Tuilevu Wing 1996–2004 19 18 1 65 13

Last updated: Ireland vs Fiji, 12 November 2022. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

Most points

# Player Pos Span Mat Start Sub Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop
1 Nicky Little Fly-half 1996–2011 71 60 11 670 2 117 140 2
2 Seremaia Bai Centre 2000–2016 53 50 3 321 5 58 59 1
3 Ben Volavola Fly-half 2015–present 44 37 7 286 4 70 41 1
4 Severo Koroduadua Fullback 1982–1991 27 27 0 268 0 56 47 5
5 Nemani Nadolo Wing 2010–present 32 30 2 237 22 32 21 0
6 Waisale Serevi Fly-half 1989–2003 38 23 15 221 11 40 27 3
7 Vereniki Goneva Centre 2007–2019 59 49 10 110 22 0 0 0
8 Taniela Rawaqa Fullback 2007–2011 17 13 4 103 4 19 15 0
9 Norman Ligairi Fullback 2000–2010 47 39 8 85 17 0 0 0
10 3 players on 80 points

Last updated: Ireland vs Fiji, 12 November 2022. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

Most points in a match

# Player Pos Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop Opposition Venue Date
1. Severo Koroduadua Fullback 36 0 18 0 0   Niue   Apia 10 September 1983
2. Semesa Sikivou Scrum-half 27 1 12 0 0   Solomon Islands   Port Moresby 21 August 1969
3. Nicky Little Fly-half 25 0 5 5 0   Italy   L'Aquila 28 August 1999
4. Tevita Makutu Wing 24 6 0 0 0   Papua New Guinea   Suva 30 August 1979
Sanivalati Laulau Wing 24 6 0 0 0   Solomon Islands   Apia 8 September 1983
Nicky Little Fly-half 24 0 6 4 0   Hong Kong   Hong Kong 29 September 1996
7. Nicky Little Fly-half 23 1 3 4 0   Italy   Lautoka 15 July 2000
Nicky Little Fly-half 23 0 1 7 0   Samoa   Tokyo 8 July 2001
Ben Volavola Fly-half 23 1 9 0 0   Uruguay   Hartpury 17 November 2018
10. 6 players on 22 points

Last updated: Ireland vs Fiji, 12 November 2022. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

Most tries in a match

# Player Pos Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop Opposition Venue Date
1. Tevita Makutu Wing 24 6 0 0 0   Papua New Guinea   Suva 30 August 1979
Sanivalati Laulau Wing 24 6 0 0 0   Solomon Islands   Apia 8 September 1983
3. George Sailosi Wing 15 5 0 0 0   Papua New Guinea   Port Moresby 18 August 1969
4. 9 players on 4 tries

Last updated: Ireland vs Fiji, 12 November 2022. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

Most matches as captain

# Player Pos Span Mat Won Lost Draw % Pts Tries
1 Akapusi Qera Flanker 2011–2018 38 22 15 1 59.21 20 4
2 Greg Smith Hooker 1996–2003 30 17 13 0 56.66 5 1
3 Esala Teleni Number 8 1983–1989 19 8 11 0 42.10 28 7
4 Mosese Rauluni Scrum-half 2004–2008 17 10 7 0 58.82 5 1
5 Dominiko Waqaniburotu Flanker 2010–2019 16 8 8 0 50.00 10 2
6 Epi Bolawaqatabu Number 8 1969–1973 12 6 5 1 54.16 21 7
Deacon Manu Prop 2010–2012 12 3 8 1 29.16 0 0
8 Alifereti Doviverata Number 8 2001–2007 11 4 7 0 36.36 5 1
Simon Raiwalui Lock 1999–2006 11 7 4 0 63.63 5 1
10 2 players on 10 caps

Last updated: Ireland vs Fiji, 12 November 2022. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

Notable players

Nat Uluiviti, who also played for the Fiji national cricket team.

Coaches

Years Coach
1954   William Goodsir
1964   Douglas Walkden-Brown
1987   Jo Sovau
1987-1991   George Simpkin
1989–1991   Samisoni Viriviri Sr
1996   Meli Kurisaru
1996–1999   Brad Johnstone
2000–2001   Greg Smith
2001–2002   Ifereimi Tawake (caretaker)
2002–2003   Mac McCallion
2004–2007   Wayne Pivac
2007–2008   Ilivasi Tabua
2009–2010   Mike Brewer
2010–2011   Sam Domoni
2012–2014   Inoke Male
2014–2019   John McKee
2020–2023   Vern Cotter

See also

References

  1. ^ "Rugby World Cup: The Tongan priest, Fijian panache and airport training". Rugby World. 8 September 2015. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
  2. ^ "Test-match di giugno: Italrugby contro Fiji, Samoa e Giappone". onrugby.it. 31 December 2013. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  3. ^ a b "Men's World Rankings". World Rugby. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  4. ^ Fiji rugby statistics
  5. ^ Cotter names exciting squad for November Tour

Sources

  • Fire and flair: Fijian rugby (from the BBC)
  • Fiji Rugby World Cup Points Table

External links

  • Fiji rugby official site
  • Fijian rugby union news from Planet Rugby 11 March 2005 at the Wayback Machine

fiji, national, rugby, union, team, this, article, about, team, women, team, fiji, women, national, rugby, union, team, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsou. This article is about the men s team For the women s team see Fiji women s national rugby union team This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Fiji national rugby union team news newspapers books scholar JSTOR March 2019 Learn how and when to remove this template message The Fiji national rugby union team represents Fiji in men s international rugby union competes every four years at the Rugby World Cup and their best performances were the 1987 and 2007 tournaments when they defeated Argentina and Wales respectively to reach the quarterfinals Fiji also regularly plays test matches during the June and November test windows Fiji also plays in the Pacific Tri Nations and has won the most Pacific Tri Nations Championships of the three participating teams FijiNickname s Flying FijiansEmblemPalm treeUnionFiji Rugby UnionHead coachVacantCaptainWaisea NayacalevuMost capsNicky Little 71 Top scorerNicky Little 670 Top try scorerVereniki Goneva 22 Home stadiumANZ National StadiumFirst coloursSecond coloursWorld Rugby rankingCurrent11 as of 9 June 2022 Highest8 2018 2019 Lowest16 2011 2012 First internationalWestern Samoa 0 6 Fiji Apia Samoa 18 August 1924 Biggest win Fiji 124 4 Niue Apia Samoa 10 September 1983 Biggest defeat New Zealand 91 0 Fiji Auckland New Zealand 10 June 2005 World CupAppearances9 First in 1987 Best resultQuarterfinals 1987 2007 Medal record Pacific Games1963 Suva1969 Port Moresby1983 Apia1979 SuvaWebsitefijirugby comFiji is one of the few countries where rugby union is the main sport There are approximately 80 000 registered players from a total population of around 950 000 One obstacle for Fiji is simply getting their rugby players to play for the national team as many have contracts in Europe or with Super Rugby teams where the money is far more rewarding The repatriated salaries of its overseas stars have become an important part of some local economies The cibi pronounced ˈdimbi war dance is performed by the Fiji rugby team before each Test match It has been used on the rugby field since 1939 though its origins date back to the country s warring times with its Pacific neighbours Contents 1 History 1 1 Early years 1 2 Inter war period 1 3 Post war era 1 4 Modern era 1 5 2007 Rugby World Cup 1 6 2011 Rugby World Cup 2 Wins against Tier 1 nations 3 Record 3 1 World Cup record 4 Kit history 5 Players 5 1 Current squad 6 Player records 6 1 Most caps 6 2 Most tries 6 3 Most points 6 4 Most points in a match 6 5 Most tries in a match 6 6 Most matches as captain 7 Notable players 8 Coaches 9 See also 10 References 11 Sources 12 External linksHistory EditMain article Rugby union in Fiji Fiji presenting Cibi before 2011 Rugby World Cup match against South Africa Early years Edit Rugby was first played in Fiji by European and Fijian soldiers of the Native Constabulary at Ba on Viti Levu Island in 1884 In 1913 a Union was founded for the European settlers In December 1913 the All Blacks who had been touring so very successfully in California were on their way back to New Zealand The Fiji RFU arranged a game with them at Albert Park the first representative match to be played in the colony The Fiji team were Europeans The All Blacks won 67 3 Fiji s points came from a try scored by their captain and coach PJ Sheehan By 1914 a native competition was started and in 1915 a Fiji Native Union was begun and became affiliated to the Fiji RFU Inter war period Edit Fiji team in 1924 Fiji played their first international against Western Samoa in Apia Samoa on 18 August 1924 Fiji s 20 man squad came exclusively from the five registered native clubs of the time The match was played at 7 am to allow the Samoans time to get to work afterwards and was played on a pitch with a large tree on the halfway line Fiji wore black and won 6 0 despite playing barefoot The return match was won 9 3 by Samoa to draw the series The first ever Fiji test team continued their overseas adventure with a nine match tour of Tonga Though Fiji lost the first test played in Nukuʻalofa 9 6 they were not to lose again taking the second test 14 3 then drawing the decider 0 0 They won all six of the matches against non test opposition Auckland University College were the first overseas side to visit Fiji in 1926 The Kiwi students played the Fiji Europeans and finished the three match series with a win loss and draw Tonga also visited Fiji that year and for the first time Fiji played in their present strip of white jersey palm tree badge and black shorts The three match series finished level with Tonga winning the first test 9 6 Fiji winning the second 14 3 and the final game a 0 0 draw During the 1927 season a General Meeting was called for the purpose of arranging a return visit to New Zealand at the invitation of Auckland University Some 30 players expressed their willingness to make the trip but after all arrangements had been made there were insufficient players available so management cancelled the trip much to the regret of Auckland Fiji team in 1932 Between 1924 and 1938 Fiji and Tonga played three test series every alternate year During this period this was the only representative rugby union that Fiji played Matches between the two Pacific nations were hard fought many have claimed that the ancient feuding wars between the Islanders were transplanted onto the rugby field Troubles during the third Test of Fiji s 1928 tour to Tonga forced the game to be abandoned with Tonga losing 11 8 The first New Zealand Maori team to visit Fiji came in 1938 Fijians played in boots for the first time but there was still a tendency to take off boots during the match and throw them to the touch line On the five match tour the Maori beat Fiji 2nd XV and Fiji Europeans before playing a three match series The first test ended in a 3 3 draw the second an 11 5 win for the Fijians and the Maori won the final test 6 3 to square the series Fiji team in 1939 In 1939 Fiji toured New Zealand for the first time Fiji s captain for that tour Ratu Sir George Cakobau decided that his side should have a war dance to rival the haka He approached Ratu Bola the high chief of the warrior clan of Navusaradave in Bau who taught them the cibi which has been Fiji s pre match ritual ever since With many players still preferring to play barefoot the Fijians played with a care free spirit and created history by becoming the first team to go through a full tour of New Zealand unbeaten winning seven and drawing one a record that stands to this day They played and beat the Maori again 14 4 Post war era Edit Fiji team in 1948 Fiji successfully toured New Zealand again in 1951 They beat the New Zealand Maori 21 14 Fiji s first tour of Australia helped the Australian Rugby Union recover from the brink of bankruptcy in 1952 The Test series was drawn 1 1 in front of record crowds Australia won the first test 15 9 but the Fijians took the second with a 17 15 win A second tour of Australia took place in 1954 and again drew record crowds Again Australia won the first test but only by 22 19 The test series was drawn 1 1 after Fiji won the second test 18 16 The same year Fiji played host to Western Samoa Fiji toured New Zealand again in 1957 and beat the Maoris 36 13 in Dunedin and 17 8 in Wellington then defeated a strong Auckland team 38 17 Fiji team in 1964 In 1964 Fiji toured Europe for the first time they played five memorable games in Wales culminating in a classic encounter in Cardiff that was talked about for years Wales won 28 22 but conceded six tries for just the second time in their history In 1970 a rampant Fijian side destroyed the Barbarians 29 9 at Gosforth A last minute try saw New Zealand safely through 14 13 over Fiji in Suva in 1974 In August 1977 the British Lions made a stopover in Fiji on the way home from their tour of New Zealand Fiji beat them 25 21 at Buckhurst Park Suva In 1982 Fiji beat Vancouver XV to begin a 15 match winning streak through to 1984 Modern era Edit Main article Fiji at the Rugby World Cup Fiji played their first full test against Wales in Cardiff in 1985 the home pack dominating in a 40 3 win with two tries to Phil Davies Fiji were also heavily beaten by Llanelli and Cardiff but lost by just one point in their test with Ireland Wales visited Suva the following year where captain Dai Pickering s summer tour was to a premature end when he suffered concussion Richard Moriarty took over and saw his side s 13 0 lead cut to a single point before Wales pulled away for a 15 22 win In 1987 Fiji made the quarter final of the Rugby World Cup and seemed close to beating France according to the match referee at one point even leading 4 3 but were eventually ground down by the French 31 16 1 In 1991 Rugby World Cup Fiji lost all three of its matches and finished bottom of its pool Wales third test win over Fiji came in Suva in 1994 The tourists fielded a weakened line up to allow all their squad a game but they were good enough to run out 23 8 victors Fiji had a troubled tour of Wales and Ireland in 1995 losing six of nine games with defeat to Neath Cardiff and Pontypridd However they managed to run Wales close at the Arms Park losing only 15 19 win They failed to qualify for the 1995 World Cup having lost to Tonga and Western Samoa Fiji rebuilt ahead of the 1999 World Cup new coach Brad Johnstone instilling discipline and determination into their set piece play They made a winning start by beating Canada and Namibia and again seemed about to beat France in Toulouse when things went wrong A controversial refereeing performance from Paddy O Brien was felt to have cost them a win over France Fiji losing 28 19 They did make the quarter final play off but lost 45 24 to the combative games England at Twickenham Soon after the tournament Johnstone departed for Italy In 2001 Fiji were crowned Pacific Rim champions defeating Samoa 28 17 in the final in Tokyo Fiji s played Wales again at the Millennium Stadium in November 2002 Two tries and 21 points from the boot of Stephen Jones helped the home side to a comfortable 58 14 win Fiji began their 2003 Rugby World Cup qualifying campaign in June 2002 when the three leading Pacific Island nations faced each other in a round robin in the second round of the Oceania zone qualifiers The Fijians started with defeats of Samoa and Tonga but their loss to Samoa on home soil meant that they had to beat Tonga by more than 20 points to finish top of the pool This they duly did with a 47 20 win in Nadi At the World Cup they beat Japan 41 13 and narrowly survived a scare against the US Eagles winning 19 18 However a 20 22 loss against Scotland and an 18 61 beating by France saw them finish third in their pool and fail to qualify for the knock out stage Results since have been mixed for Fiji Although they have traditionally been the strongest of the Pacific Nations they were beaten 29 27 by New Zealand Maori in 2004 and went down 91 0 by the All Blacks In July 2005 five Fiji internationals were banned from playing international rugby for the rest of the year following a drunken brawl in Japan after a Pacific Five Nations match 1 Their 2007 season started off as one of Fiji s worst seasons They had a very inexperienced team and lost to both pacific rivals Tonga and Samoa and suffered heavy defeats to Australia and the Junior All Blacks The only win for Fiji at the 2007 Pacific 6 Nations was against Japan however they did manage an unexpected 14 14 draw against Australia A With most of Fiji s more experienced players back in the team Fiji slowly improved in the 2007 world cup to qualify for the quarter finals for the first time in 20 years 2007 Rugby World Cup Edit Fiji vs South Africa Fiji were placed in Pool B of the 2007 Rugby World Cup along with Wales Canada Japan and Australia After beating Japan and Canada in close matches Fiji rested several key players against Australia for the crucial game against Wales Australia defeated Fiji by 55 12 Fiji s fate in the tournament came down to a winner advances game against Wales which Fiji won 38 34 and qualified for the quarter finals for the second time Former Wallaby great Michael Lynagh described the see sawing match as one of the best matches of all time Fiji lost their quarter final match against South Africa however their above expectations performance in the tournament resulted in them moving up to 9th in the world rankings their highest ever position Shannon Fraser and Gregg Mumm from Australia acted as assistant coaches for the period leading up to the world cup and were accredited for much of the Fijians side s success citation needed 2011 Rugby World Cup Edit Fiji was placed in Pool D of the 2011 Rugby World Cup along with South Africa Wales Samoa and Namibia Fiji won their first match against Namibia with 49 25 But it could not manage to repeat 2007 World Cup performance They lost to South Africa Wales and Samoa with huge margins Final scores were 3 49 against South Africa 7 27 against Samoa amp 0 66 against Wales 8 Wins against Tier 1 nations Edit9 August 1952 Australia 15 17 Fiji Sydney Cricket Ground Try CoxShehadieStapletonWindonDrop Solomon Report Try RalagiSalabogiCon VatubuaPen VatubuaRanavueDrop Ranavue Attendance 42 004Referee Don Furness Australia 26 June 1954 Australia 16 18 Fiji Sydney Cricket Ground Try CrossShehadieCon Barker 2 Pen Barker 2 Report Try SaukuruSeruvatuPen Nawalu Ranavue 3 Attendance 33 099Referee Don Furness Australia 14 June 1980 Fiji 16 3 Italy National Stadium Suva 24 May 1987 Argentina 9 28 Fiji Rugby Park Hamilton Try TravagliniCon PortaPen Porta Report Try GaleNaivilawasaSavaiNalagaCon Koroduadua 2 RokowailoaPen Koroduadua Attendance 12 000Referee Jim Fleming Scotland 26 May 1998 Fiji 51 26 Scotland National Stadium Suva Try Lasagavibau 3 NaevoVeitayakiWaqabituCon LittleSerevi 4 Pen LittleSerevi Report Try BullochGilmourCon Lee 2 Pen Lee 4 Attendance 20 000Referee Paul Honiss New Zealand 28 August 1999 Italy 32 50 Fiji Stadio Tommaso Fattori L Aquila Try ChecchinatoMartinPucciarielloCon DominguezPen Dominguez 5 Report Try Satala 2 SereviTikoVunibakaCon Little 5 Pen Little 5 Attendance 5 000Referee Stewart Piercy England 15 July 2000 Fiji 43 9 Italy Churchill Park Lautoka Try LigairiLittleRaiwaluiSatalaVunibakaCon Little 3 Pen Little 4 Report Pen MazzariolPez 2 Attendance 11 000Referee Mark Lawrence South Africa 17 July 2006 Fiji 29 18 Italy Churchill Park Lautoka Try CaucaunibucaLigairiRauluniSalabogiCon Bai 3 Pen Bai Report Try Lo CiceroParisseCon PezPen Pez 2 Referee Marius Jonker South Africa 29 September 2007 Wales 34 38 Fiji Stade de la Beaujoire Nantes Try Popham 34 cS Williams 45 cG Thomas 48 mM Jones 51 cM Williams 73 mCon Hook 1 1 S Jones 2 4 Pen S Jones 1 2 5 Report Try Qera 16 cDelasau 19 mLeawere 25 cDewes 77 cCon Little 3 4 Pen Little 4 5 21 24 54 60 Attendance 37 080Referee Stuart Dickinson Australia 7 June 2014 Fiji 25 14 Italy National Stadium Suva 2 15 10 FJT UTC 12 Try Nadolo 19 mWaqaniburotu 66 cNalaga 79 cCon Ralulu 0 1 Nadolo 2 2 62 79 Pen Ralulu 0 1 Nadolo 2 2 65 71 Report In Italian Try Penalty Try 2 9 c 76 cCon Orquera 2 2 10 76 Pen Orquera 0 2 Attendance 12 000Referee JP Doyle England 17 June 2017 Fiji 22 19 Italy National Stadium Suva 14 40 FJT UTC 12 Referee Paul Williams New Zealand 24 June 2017 Fiji 27 22 Scotland ANZ National Stadium Suva 14 30 FJT UTC 12 Try Yato 37 mSeniloli 62 cCon Volavola 1 2 63 Pen Volavola 5 6 25 36 46 56 68 Try Ford 30 cJackson 53 cBrown 75 mCon Jackson 2 3 31 54 Pen Jackson 1 1 61 Referee Pascal Gauzere France 24 November 2018 France 14 21 Fiji Stade de France Saint Denis 21 05 CET UTC 1 Try Guirado 25 c 45 cCon Serin 2 2 25 46 Pen Serin 0 1 Try Radradra 21 cTuisova 31 mCon Volavola 1 2 21 Pen Volavola 3 4 44 58 82 Attendance 42 200Referee Matthew Carley England In addition Fiji drew with Australia 3 3 on 1 July 1961 at the Olympic Park Stadium Melbourne Australia as well as 16 16 with Wales on 19 November 2010 at the Millennium Stadium Cardiff Wales Record EditMen s World Rugby Rankingsvte Top 20 as of 13 February 2023 3 Rank Change Team Points1 Ireland 0 91 332 France 0 89 383 New Zealand 0 88 984 South Africa 0 88 975 Scotland 0 83 366 England 0 82 277 Australia 0 81 808 Argentina 0 80 729 Wales 0 77 7310 Japan 0 77 3911 Samoa 0 76 0312 Italy 0 75 8313 Georgia 0 75 1914 Fiji 0 74 8415 Tonga 0 71 2116 Spain 0 67 1717 Uruguay 0 66 2418 Portugal 0 65 9819 United States 0 65 9220 Romania 0 65 4221 Namibia 0 61 6022 Chile 0 60 8923 Canada 0 60 4624 Hong Kong 0 59 6625 Russia 0 58 0626 Belgium 0 55 3527 Brazil 0 55 2328 Switzerland 0 53 8029 Netherlands 0 53 1230 Poland 0 53 02 Change from the previous weekFiji s historical rankingsSee or edit source data Source World Rugby 3 Graph updated to 13 February 2023Below is table of the representative rugby matches played by a Fiji national XV at test level up until 28 October 2022 4 Opponent Played Won Lost Drawn Win For Aga Diff Argentina 4 1 3 0 25 0 96 130 34 Australia 22 2 19 1 9 0 269 650 381Barbarian 3 1 2 0 33 37 59 114 55 Belgium 1 1 0 0 100 0 76 0 76British and Irish Lions 1 1 0 0 100 0 25 21 4 Canada 12 9 3 0 75 0 409 221 188 Canada XV 1 1 0 0 100 0 13 3 10 Chile 1 1 0 0 100 0 41 16 25 Classic All Blacks 1 1 0 0 100 0 33 14 19 Cook Islands 2 2 0 0 100 0 161 13 148 England 7 0 7 0 0 0 109 303 194 England XV 3 0 3 0 0 0 38 92 54 France 10 1 9 0 10 0 132 371 239 France XV 1 0 1 0 0 0 4 13 9 Georgia 7 4 1 2 57 14 177 112 65 Hong Kong 3 3 0 0 100 0 155 33 122 Ireland 4 0 4 0 0 0 51 172 121 Ireland XV 2 0 2 0 0 0 15 24 9 Italy 12 6 6 0 50 0 275 282 7 Japan 18 14 4 0 77 8 488 346 142 Namibia 2 2 0 0 100 0 116 43 73 Maori All Blacks 29 7 20 2 24 1 383 517 134 New Zealand 7 0 7 0 0 00 86 481 395 New Zealand XV 5 0 5 0 0 00 25 155 130 Niue 1 1 0 0 100 0 120 4 116 Papua New Guinea 3 3 0 0 100 0 253 3 250 Portugal 2 2 0 0 100 0 62 30 32 Romania 3 2 1 0 66 7 70 42 28 Samoa 54 30 21 3 55 6 1069 944 125 Scotland 8 2 6 0 25 0 189 258 69 Scotland XV 2 0 2 0 0 0 22 53 31 Solomon Islands 2 2 0 0 100 0 199 13 186 South Africa 3 0 3 0 0 0 41 129 88 Spain 2 2 0 0 100 0 82 33 49 Tonga 93 63 27 3 67 7 1845 1237 608 United States 6 5 1 0 83 3 143 97 46 Uruguay 4 3 1 0 75 0 181 76 105 Wales 13 1 11 1 7 69 185 396 211 Wales XV 3 0 3 0 0 0 33 67 34Total 357 173 172 12 48 46 7730 7509 221World Cup record Edit Main article Fiji at the Rugby World Cup World Cup record World Cup Qualification recordYear Round P W D L F A P W D L F A 1987 Quarter finals 4 1 0 3 72 132 Automatically qualified 1991 Pool Stage 3 0 0 3 27 63 1995 did not qualify 2 1 0 1 26 34 1999 Play off 4 2 0 2 148 113 2 2 0 0 73 17 2003 Pool Stage 4 2 0 2 98 114 4 3 0 1 123 80 2007 Quarter finals 5 3 0 2 134 173 4 3 0 1 74 83 2011 Pool Stage 4 1 0 3 59 167 Automatically qualified 2015 Pool stage 4 1 0 3 84 101 1 1 0 0 108 6 2019 Pool stage 4 1 0 3 110 108 4 4 0 0 101 60 2023 qualified Automatically qualified 2027 to be determined Qualification not started 2031Total 9 10 32 11 0 21 732 971 17 14 0 3 505 280Kit history EditFiji traditionally plays with a home kit consisting of a white shirt black shorts and black and white hooped socks The away kit traditionally used to be a white and black hooped shirt with white shorts and hooped socks although since KooGa s tenure as supplier colours such as light blue or black were used Since 2010 some jerseys started to have patterns similar to those found on the masi cloths on the jersey designs Kit Suppliers 1970s 2003 Canterbury 2004 2005 Cotton Traders 2005 2016 KooGa BLK 2017 2021 ISC 2021 present NikeSponsors 1994 1998 National Bank of Fiji 1998 2003 Vodafone 2004 2005 Digicel 2005 2007 Fiji Flour Mills 2009 2014 Fiji Airways 2014 Vodafone 2018 Fiji Airways 1987 Home 1991 Home 1999 03 Home 1999 Alternate 2007 Home 2011 Home 2015 Home 2017 Home 2019 Home 2020 Home 2021 HomePlayers EditCurrent squad Edit On 17 October head coach Vern Cotter named a 31 man squad for their 2022 End of Year tour playing against Scotland Ireland and the French Barbarians 5 Head Coach Vern Cotter Caps Updated 5 November 2022 Player Position Date of birth age Caps Club provinceMesu Dolokoto Hooker 1995 01 21 21 January 1995 age 28 11 Fijian DruaTevita Ikanivere Hooker 1999 09 06 6 September 1999 age 23 4 Fijian DruaSam Matavesi Hooker 1992 01 13 13 January 1992 age 31 23 Northampton SaintsLee Roy Atalifo Prop 1988 03 10 10 March 1988 age 34 17 EdinburghHaereiti Hetet Prop 1997 07 10 10 July 1997 age 25 4 Fijian DruaEroni Mawi Prop 1996 06 02 2 June 1996 age 26 20 SaracensLivai Natave Prop 1999 04 20 20 April 1999 age 23 1 Fijian DruaManasa Saulo Prop 1989 04 06 6 April 1989 age 33 50 Fijian DruaLuke Tagi Prop 1997 06 23 23 June 1997 age 25 7 ProvenceTemo Mayanavanua Lock 1997 11 09 9 November 1997 age 25 7 LyonIsoa Nasilasila Lock 1999 09 13 13 September 1999 age 23 2 Fijian DruaApi Ratuniyarawa Lock 1986 07 11 11 July 1986 age 36 41 London IrishRatu Leone Rotuisolia Lock 1998 02 21 21 February 1998 age 24 1 Fijian DruaKitione Kamikamica Back row 1996 04 27 27 April 1996 age 26 4 Racing 92Viliame Mata Back row 1991 10 22 22 October 1991 age 31 21 EdinburghAlbert Tuisue Back row 1993 06 06 6 June 1993 age 29 16 GloucesterSimione Kuruvoli Scrum half 1999 01 02 2 January 1999 age 24 2 Fijian DruaFrank Lomani Scrum half 1996 04 18 18 April 1996 age 26 22 Fijian DruaRatu Peni Matawalu Scrum half 1997 07 08 8 July 1997 age 25 3 Fijian DruaSireli Maqala Fly half 2000 03 20 20 March 2000 age 22 1 BayonneTeti Tela Fly half 1991 03 07 7 March 1991 age 31 3 Fijian DruaLevani Botia Centre 1989 03 14 14 March 1989 age 33 22 La RochelleVilimoni Botitu Centre 1998 06 15 15 June 1998 age 24 5 CastresWaisea Nayacalevu c Centre 1990 06 26 26 June 1990 age 32 31 ToulonSemi Radradra Centre 1992 06 13 13 June 1992 age 30 11 Bristol BearsKalaveti Ravouvou Centre 1998 06 06 6 June 1998 age 24 2 Fijian DruaVinaya Habosi Wing 2000 01 30 30 January 2000 age 23 3 Fijian DruaManasa Mataele Wing 1996 11 27 27 November 1996 age 26 3 Western ForceJiuta Wainiqolo Wing 1999 03 10 10 March 1999 age 23 3 ToulonKini Murimurivalu Fullback 1989 05 15 15 May 1989 age 33 34 Leicester TigersSeta Tuicuvu Fullback 1995 09 07 7 September 1995 age 27 10 BrivePlayer records EditThis section needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed November 2021 Learn how and when to remove this template message Most caps Edit Player Pos Span Mat Start Sub Won Lost Draw 1 Nicky Little Fly half 1996 2011 71 60 11 37 34 0 52 112 Leone Nakarawa Lock 2009 2021 66 61 5 34 30 2 52 343 Akapusi Qera Flanker 2005 2018 64 55 9 32 30 2 51 564 Campese Ma afu Prop 2010 2019 62 52 10 31 29 2 51 615 Vereniki Goneva Centre 2007 2019 59 49 10 28 29 2 49 156 Sunia Koto Hooker 2005 2017 57 47 10 30 26 1 53 507 Seremaia Bai Centre 2000 2016 53 50 3 27 25 1 51 888 Manasa Saulo Prop 2012 51 38 13 27 23 1 56 38Dominiko Waqaniburotu Flanker 2010 2019 51 49 2 28 23 0 54 9010 Jacob Rauluni Scrum half 1995 2006 49 40 9 26 23 0 53 06Joeli Veitayaki Prop 1994 2003 49 45 4 26 23 0 53 06Last updated Ireland vs Fiji 12 November 2022 Statistics include officially capped matches only Most tries Edit Player Pos Span Mat Start Sub Pts Tries1 Vereniki Goneva Centre 2007 2019 59 49 10 110 22Nemani Nadolo Wing 2010 present 32 30 2 237 223 Sanivalati Laulau Wing 1980 1985 32 32 0 80 204 Norman Ligairi Fullback 2000 2010 47 39 8 85 175 Timoci Nagusa Wing 2008 2018 33 26 7 80 16Viliame Satala Centre 1999 2005 29 27 2 80 167 Fero Lasagavibau Wing 1997 2002 23 20 3 75 158 Leone Nakarawa Lock 2009 2021 66 61 5 65 13Metuisela Talebula Wing 2012 2018 24 22 2 73 13Aisea Tuilevu Wing 1996 2004 19 18 1 65 13Last updated Ireland vs Fiji 12 November 2022 Statistics include officially capped matches only Most points Edit Player Pos Span Mat Start Sub Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop1 Nicky Little Fly half 1996 2011 71 60 11 670 2 117 140 22 Seremaia Bai Centre 2000 2016 53 50 3 321 5 58 59 13 Ben Volavola Fly half 2015 present 44 37 7 286 4 70 41 14 Severo Koroduadua Fullback 1982 1991 27 27 0 268 0 56 47 55 Nemani Nadolo Wing 2010 present 32 30 2 237 22 32 21 06 Waisale Serevi Fly half 1989 2003 38 23 15 221 11 40 27 37 Vereniki Goneva Centre 2007 2019 59 49 10 110 22 0 0 08 Taniela Rawaqa Fullback 2007 2011 17 13 4 103 4 19 15 09 Norman Ligairi Fullback 2000 2010 47 39 8 85 17 0 0 010 3 players on 80 pointsLast updated Ireland vs Fiji 12 November 2022 Statistics include officially capped matches only Most points in a match Edit Player Pos Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop Opposition Venue Date1 Severo Koroduadua Fullback 36 0 18 0 0 Niue Apia 10 September 19832 Semesa Sikivou Scrum half 27 1 12 0 0 Solomon Islands Port Moresby 21 August 19693 Nicky Little Fly half 25 0 5 5 0 Italy L Aquila 28 August 19994 Tevita Makutu Wing 24 6 0 0 0 Papua New Guinea Suva 30 August 1979Sanivalati Laulau Wing 24 6 0 0 0 Solomon Islands Apia 8 September 1983Nicky Little Fly half 24 0 6 4 0 Hong Kong Hong Kong 29 September 19967 Nicky Little Fly half 23 1 3 4 0 Italy Lautoka 15 July 2000Nicky Little Fly half 23 0 1 7 0 Samoa Tokyo 8 July 2001Ben Volavola Fly half 23 1 9 0 0 Uruguay Hartpury 17 November 201810 6 players on 22 pointsLast updated Ireland vs Fiji 12 November 2022 Statistics include officially capped matches only Most tries in a match Edit Player Pos Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop Opposition Venue Date1 Tevita Makutu Wing 24 6 0 0 0 Papua New Guinea Suva 30 August 1979Sanivalati Laulau Wing 24 6 0 0 0 Solomon Islands Apia 8 September 19833 George Sailosi Wing 15 5 0 0 0 Papua New Guinea Port Moresby 18 August 19694 9 players on 4 triesLast updated Ireland vs Fiji 12 November 2022 Statistics include officially capped matches only Most matches as captain Edit Player Pos Span Mat Won Lost Draw Pts Tries1 Akapusi Qera Flanker 2011 2018 38 22 15 1 59 21 20 42 Greg Smith Hooker 1996 2003 30 17 13 0 56 66 5 13 Esala Teleni Number 8 1983 1989 19 8 11 0 42 10 28 74 Mosese Rauluni Scrum half 2004 2008 17 10 7 0 58 82 5 15 Dominiko Waqaniburotu Flanker 2010 2019 16 8 8 0 50 00 10 26 Epi Bolawaqatabu Number 8 1969 1973 12 6 5 1 54 16 21 7Deacon Manu Prop 2010 2012 12 3 8 1 29 16 0 08 Alifereti Doviverata Number 8 2001 2007 11 4 7 0 36 36 5 1Simon Raiwalui Lock 1999 2006 11 7 4 0 63 63 5 110 2 players on 10 capsLast updated Ireland vs Fiji 12 November 2022 Statistics include officially capped matches only Notable players EditSireli Bobo Alex Rokobaro Rupeni Caucaunibuca Bill Cavubati Vilimoni Delasau Alivereti Doviverata Sisa Koyamaibole Sunia Koto Maleli Kunavore Kele Leawere Josefa Levula Norman Ligairi Nicky Little Isa Nacewa Noa Nadruku Apenisa Naevo Semisi Naevo Sireli Naqelevuki Timoci Nagusa Napolioni Nalaga Seru Rabeni Simon Raiwalui Kameli Ratuvou Jacob Rauluni Mosese Rauluni Iferemi Rawaqa Apolosi Satala Viliame Satala Waisale Serevi Ilivasi Tabua Netani Talei Setareki Tawake Aisea Tuilevu Joeli Veitayaki Joeli Vidiri Marika Vunibaka Akapusi Qera Nat Uluiviti who also played for the Fiji national cricket team Coaches EditYears Coach1954 William Goodsir1964 Douglas Walkden Brown1987 Jo Sovau1987 1991 George Simpkin1989 1991 Samisoni Viriviri Sr1996 Meli Kurisaru1996 1999 Brad Johnstone2000 2001 Greg Smith2001 2002 Ifereimi Tawake caretaker 2002 2003 Mac McCallion2004 2007 Wayne Pivac2007 2008 Ilivasi Tabua2009 2010 Mike Brewer2010 2011 Sam Domoni2012 2014 Inoke Male2014 2019 John McKee2020 2023 Vern CotterSee also Edit Sports portalPacific Tri Nations Fiji Rugby Union Rugby World Cup Fiji national rugby sevens team Fiji national rugby league team Pacific Islanders rugby union team Colonial Cup Digicel CupReferences Edit Rugby World Cup The Tongan priest Fijian panache and airport training Rugby World 8 September 2015 Retrieved 8 September 2015 Test match di giugno Italrugby contro Fiji Samoa e Giappone onrugby it 31 December 2013 Retrieved 31 December 2013 a b Men s World Rankings World Rugby Retrieved 13 February 2023 Fiji rugby statistics Cotter names exciting squad for November TourSources EditFire and flair Fijian rugby from the BBC Fiji Rugby World Cup Points TableExternal links EditFiji rugby official site Rugby World Cup 2015 Schedule World Cup Preview Fijian rugby union news from Planet Rugby Archived 11 March 2005 at the Wayback Machine Supporters website for the Pacific Islanders Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Fiji national rugby union team amp oldid 1137388266, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

article

, read, download, free, free download, mp3, video, mp4, 3gp, jpg, jpeg, gif, png, picture, music, song, movie, book, game, games.