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Fiji national rugby sevens team

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This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Fiji women's national rugby sevens team.
Fiji
UnionFiji Rugby Union
Coach(es)Osea Kolinisau
Captain(s)Vatemo Ravouvou
Top scorerWaisale Serevi (1310)
Most triesWaisea Nacuqu (135)
Team kit
Change kit
World Cup Sevens
Appearances8 (First in 1993)
Best resultChampions (1997, 2005, 2022)
World Rugby series (2005–2006, 2014–2015, 2015–2016, 2018–2019)
Fiji national rugby sevens team
Medal record
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 2016 Rio de Janeiro Team
Gold medal – first place 2020 Tokyo Team
Silver medal – second place 2024 Paris Team
Rugby Sevens World Cup
Gold medal – first place 1997 British Hong Kong Team
Gold medal – first place 2005 Hong Kong Team
Gold medal – first place 2022 Cape Town Team
Bronze medal – third place 1993 Edinburgh Team
Bronze medal – third place 2001 Mar del Plata Team
Bronze medal – third place 2013 Moscow Team
World Games
Gold medal – first place 2001 Akita Team
Gold medal – first place 2005 Duisburg Team
Gold medal – first place 2009 Kaohsiung Team
Oceania Sevens Championship
Gold medal – first place 2014 Noosa Team
Gold medal – first place 2016 Suva Team
Gold medal – first place 2017 Suva Team
Gold medal – first place 2018 Suva Team
Gold medal – first place 2021 Townsville Team
Silver medal – second place 2011 Apia Team
Silver medal – second place 2013 Suva Team
Silver medal – second place 2019 Suva Team
Pacific Games
Gold medal – first place 1999 Santa Rita Team
Gold medal – first place 2003 Suva Team
Gold medal – first place 2007 Apia Team
Gold medal – first place 2015 Port Moresby Team
Gold medal – first place 2019 Apia Team
Silver medal – second place 2011 Noumea Team

The Fiji national rugby sevens team has competed in the World Rugby Sevens Series, Rugby World Cup Sevens and the Olympics. Fiji won the gold medal in the inaugural rugby sevens at the Summer Olympics in 2016 in Brazil, the country's first Olympic medal in any event, and repeated as Olympic champions in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, defeating New Zealand.[1] Fiji would fall short from winning gold for a third straight time in 2024 after a defeat in the final to hosts France. Overall, Fiji are the only national rugby sevens team in the world to have won the Sevens Treble (the Olympics, Sevens Series, and World Cup), the three major achievements in Sevens. They have won multiple World Rugby Sevens Series and Rugby World Cup Sevens.

Fiji Sevens is watched and enjoyed by fans around the world for its style of play — the "Flying Fijians" play with Fijian flair.[2] Their passing and offloads can be unorthodox for traditional rugby coaching, and more similar to basketball style.[3]

History

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See also: Rugby union in Fiji

The International Rugby Board (IRB) expanded the sevens rugby competition to become a series of 11 tournaments around the world. The debt the FRU incurred from the 2000 sevens series was significant. At the end of December 2000, the FRU was burdened with accumulated losses of F$933,306. Fiji appealed to the IRB for funding, arguing that the sevens tournament was built around Fiji and they would not be able to participate without such funding. From that appeal flowed participation funds that enabled the islands teams to play in the World Sevens Series fully funded. By the end of November 2001, the FRU was sitting on a surplus of F$560,311 compared with the previous year's net loss of F$675,609.

The FRU again ran out of money in 2013 to support the national sevens team. The IRB had temporarily suspended funding due to concerns with FRU financial management and governance. The head coach went unpaid for months, another staff was terminated, and the team lacked funds for basic supplies such as rugby balls and bottled water.[4]

Waisale Serevi is highly regarded as the best player ever in sevens rugby.[citation needed] Nicknamed the "maestro", played in this side from 1989 to 2006 leading them to countless tournament victories, two Sevens World Cups in 1997 and 2005.

World Rugby Sevens Series

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Main article: World Rugby Sevens Series
Summary
Rank Times Seasons
1st 4 2005–06, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2018-2019
2nd 6 1999–2000, 2004–05, 2006–07, 2008–09, 2011–12, 2017–18
3rd 9 2000–01, 2002–03, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2016–17, 2019–20, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24
4th 5 2001–02, 2003–04, 2007–08, 2009–10, 2010–11
Total 24

Fiji has won the World Rugby Sevens Series four times — first in 2005–06, and most recently in 2018–19. Fiji is one of only two teams — along with New Zealand — to finish in the top four of the World Series every season since its inception.[citation needed]

Sevens Series record
Year Position Rounds Points Most tries Most points
1999–00 2nd 10 180 Vilimoni Delasau (83)
2000–01 3rd 9 124
2001–02 4th 11 122
2002–03 3rd 7 94
2003–04 4th 8 84
2004–05 2nd 7 88
2005–06 1st 8 144
2006–07 2nd 8 128 William Ryder (416)
2007–08 4th 8 98 Emosi Vucago (25) Neumi Nanuku (146)
2008–09 2nd 8 102 Vereniki Goneva (24)
2009–10 4th 8 108 William Ryder (166)
2010–11 4th 8 122 Seremaia Burotu (29) Emosi Vucago (195)
2011–12 2nd 9 161 Joeli Lutumailagi (28) Metuisela Talebula (271)
2012–13 3rd 9 121 Samisoni Viriviri (29) Joji Baleviani Raqamate (247)
2013–14 3rd 9 144 Samisoni Viriviri (52) Samisoni Viriviri (260)
2014–15 1st 9 164 Savenaca Rawaca (42) Osea Kolinisau (312)
2015–16[5] 1st 10 181 Savenaca Rawaca (35) Vatemo Ravouvou (287)
2016–17 3rd 10 150
2017–18 2nd 10 180 Eroni Sau (37) Amenoni Nasilasila (316)
2018–19 1st 10 186 Aminiasi Tuimaba (46)
2019–20 3rd 6 83 Aminiasi Tuimaba (20) Napolioni Bolaca (159)
2021 DNP
2021–22 3rd 9 122 Viwa Naduvalo (28) Waisea Nacuqu (230)
2022–23 3rd 11 156 Waisea Nacuqu (317)
2023–24 3rd
Total 4 Titles 202 2959 Nasoni Roko (125) Waisale Serevi (1,310)

Quadrennial tournaments

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Summer Olympics

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Fiji teams at the 2020 Summer Olympics
Olympic Games record
Year Round Pos Pld W L D Most tries Qualifying
Brazil 2016[6] Final 1st 6 6 0 0 J. Tuisova (5) Finished first at the 2014–15 World Series
Japan 2020 Final 1st 6 6 0 0 Jiuta Wainiqolo (5) Finished first at the 2018–19 World Series
France 2024 Final 2nd 6 5 1 0 Joji Nasova (4) Finished third at the 2022–23 World Series
Total 2 Titles 3/3 18 17 1 0
Olympic Games History
2016 Pool stage  Fiji 40 – 12  Brazil Win
 Fiji 21 – 14  Argentina Win
 Fiji 24 – 19  United States Win
Quarterfinals  Fiji 12 – 7  New Zealand Win
Semifinals  Fiji 20 – 5  Japan Win
Final  Fiji 43 – 7  Great Britain Win
2020 Pool stage  Fiji 24 – 19  Japan Win
 Fiji 28 – 14  Canada Win
 Fiji 33 – 7  Great Britain Win
Quarterfinals  Fiji 19 – 0  Australia Win
Semifinals  Fiji 26 – 14  Argentina Win
Final  Fiji 27 – 12  New Zealand Win
2024 Pool stage  Fiji 40 – 12  Uruguay Win
 Fiji 38 – 12  United States Win
 Fiji 19 – 12  France Win
Quarterfinals  Fiji 19 – 15  Ireland Win
Semifinals  Fiji 31 – 7  Australia Win
Final  Fiji 7 – 28  France Loss

Rugby World Cup Sevens

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World Cup Sevens record
Year Round Position Played Won Lost Drew Most tries Most points
Scotland 1993 Semi-finals 3rd 9 7 2 0
Hong Kong 1997 Finals 1st 7 7 0 0 M. Vunibaka (12) W. Serevi (117)
Argentina 2001 Semi-finals 3rd 7 6 1 0
Hong Kong 2005 Finals 1st 8 8 0 0
United Arab Emirates 2009 Quarter-finals 5th 4 3 1 0
Russia 2013 Semi-finals 3rd 6 4 2 0
United States 2018 Semi-finals 4th 4 2 2 0
South Africa 2022 Finals 1st 4 4 0 0
Total 3 Titles 8/8 49 41 8 0 M. Vunibaka (23) W. Serevi (297)

Commonwealth Games

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Tournament Victories

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Players

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Current squad

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The following players have been selected to represent Fiji during the 2023–24 SVNS tournament beginning in December 2023.

Note: Caps reflect the total number of SVNS events competed in as of the 2023 Dubai Sevens.

Player Position Date of birth (age) Caps Club/province
Jerry Matana Forward (1998-07-14) 14 July 1998 (age 26) 14 Unattached
Sevuloni Mocenacagi Forward (1990-06-29) 29 June 1990 (age 34) 48 Rouen
Kaminieli Rasaku Forward (1999-07-12) 12 July 1999 (age 25) 10 Bayonne
Filipe Sauturaga Forward (1994-06-19) 19 June 1994 (age 30) 12 Unattached
Joseva Talacolo (c) Forward (1997-04-01) 1 April 1997 (age 27) 13 Unattached
Ilikimi Vunaki Forward 2001 (age 22–23) 1 Unattached
Pilipo Bukayaro Back (1999-03-18) 18 March 1999 (age 25) 15 Unattached
Josese Batirerega Back (1999-11-28) 28 November 1999 (age 25) 9 Unattached
Rubeni Kabu Back 1997 (age 26–27) 1 Unattached
Netava Koroisau Back 1996 (age 27–28) 1 Unattached
Manueli Maisamoa Back (1995-08-09) 9 August 1995 (age 29) 17 Unattached
Vuiviawa Naduvalo Back (1996-05-25) 25 May 1996 (age 28) 15 Unattached
Kavekini Tabu Back (1994-06-21) 21 June 1994 (age 30) 7 Bressane
Terio Tamani Back (1994-07-06) 6 July 1994 (age 30) 13 Unattached

Records and statistics

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Olympic squads

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Player records

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The following section lists player records from the World Rugby Sevens Series. Players in bold are still active.

Award winners

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The following Fiji Sevens players have been recognised at the World Rugby Awards since 2004:[14]

Former players

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In addition to the players listed above, other notable players include:

Head coaches

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Coach Tenure Note
Gareth Baber 2016–21 Baber has won the most tournaments by a Fiji 7s coach and has coached the side to their 4th World Series Title in 2019. In addition, Baber also coached the Fiji 7s side to victory by bringing the country's second gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Ben Ryan 2013–16 Ryan coached the Fiji 7s side to 2 back-to-back world series titles and the country's first gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Alifereti Dere 2010–13
Waisale Serevi 2005–07; 2008–09 Serevi coached/played in the side from 2005 to 2007 guiding Fiji to their first World Sevens Series title in the 2005–2006 season.
Pauliasi Tabulutu 2004–06
Wayne Pivac 2005
Etuate Waqa
Ratu Kitione Vesikula
Rupeni Ravonu
Peni Veidreyaki
Alifereti Cawanibuka
Tomasi Cama 2001
Josateki Sovau 1987
Sanivalati Laulau
Timoci Wainiqolo

See also

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Bibliography

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  • McLaren, Bill A Visit to Hong Kong in Starmer-Smith, Nigel & Robertson, Ian (eds) The Whitbread Rugby World '90 (Lennard Books, 1989)

References

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  1. ^ "Fiji beats New Zealand to clinch back-to-back Olympic titles". AP. 27 July 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  2. ^ "Rugby Sevens final: Team GB thrashed 43-7 as Fiji win their first-ever Olympic medal", Telegraph, Daniel Schofield, 12 August 2016.
  3. ^ "Q&A: Ben Ryan on life after becoming an Olympic legend – and Fijian chief – as coach of the island’s gold-medal rugby team", South China Morning Post, James Porteous, 15 October 2016.
  4. ^ "No Money, No Problem for Fiji Rugby Sevens Team", New York Times, Emma Stoney, March 28, 2014.
  5. ^ "Fiji secure back-to-back titles after day one in London", Telegraph, Oliver Pickup, 21 May 2016.
  6. ^ "Fiji storms to sevens gold, claiming first-ever Olympic medal", Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 12 August 2016.
  7. ^ "A potted history of sevens at the Commonwealth Games", WorldRugby.org, 6 April 2018.
  8. ^ "Fiji suspended from 2010 Commonwealth Games", Herald Sun, Julie Tullberg, October 12, 2009.
  9. ^ "Fiji drops Games boycott threat", news.com.au, March 27, 2014.
  10. ^ "Fiji storms to sevens gold, claiming first-ever Olympic medal", Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 12 August 2016.
  11. ^ "How Fiji Sevens’ Waisale Serevi and his band of ‘schoolchildren’ took the Hong Kong 1997 World Cup home", South China Morning Post, Sam Agars, 18 July 2018.
  12. ^ "Fiji storm to victory in Oceania Sevens in Noosa with victory over New Zealand in the final", Ultimate Rugby Sevens, Nick Jordan, 4 October 2014.
  13. ^ World Rugby
  14. ^ "Awards Roll of Honour - World Rugby". www.world.rugby. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
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