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Fiji women's national rugby union team

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For the men's team, see Fiji national rugby union team. For the women's sevens team, see Fiji women's national rugby sevens team. For the women's rugby league team, see Fiji women's national rugby league team.
Fiji
NicknameFijiana
UnionFiji Rugby Union
Head coachMosese Rauluni
CaptainSereima Leweniqila
First colours
World Rugby ranking
Current17 (as of 28 October 2024)
Highest14 (2024)
Lowest32 (2007)
First international
 Fiji 15–27 Samoa 
(Nukuʻalofa, Tonga; 14 April 2006)
Biggest win
 Fiji 152–0 Papua New Guinea 
(Papakura, New Zealand; 9 July 2022)
Biggest defeat
 Fiji 19–84 England 
(Auckland, New Zealand; 8 October 2022)
World Cup
Appearances1 (2021)
Women's
World Rugby Rankings
Top 20 rankings as of 25 November 2024[1]
Rank Change* Team Points
1 Steady  England 097.56
2 Steady  Canada 089.31
3 Steady  New Zealand 088.64
4 Steady  France 085.11
5 Steady  Australia 078.10
6 Steady  Ireland 078.03
7 Steady  Scotland 076.82
8 Steady  Italy 074.75
9 Steady  United States 074.20
10 Steady  Wales 072.58
11 Steady  Japan 066.41
12 Steady  South Africa 066.18
13 Steady  Spain 065.42
14 Steady  Russia 061.10
15 Steady  Samoa 060.56
16 Steady  Netherlands 060.20
17 Steady  Fiji 059.14
18 Steady  Hong Kong 056.20
19 Steady  Kazakhstan 055.23
20 Steady  Sweden 052.72
*Change from the previous week

The Fiji women's national rugby union team are a national sporting side of Fiji, representing them at rugby union. They played their first test against Samoa in 2006, and compete annually in the Oceania Rugby Women's Championship. In 2022, they created history when they scored the third-highest points in both Men's and Women's Rugby at the Oceania Championship when they trounced Papua New Guinea 152–0. They made their first Rugby World Cup appearance at the delayed tournament in New Zealand.

History

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Fiji played their first match in 1997 against a visiting United States XV's team. They played their first international test match against Samoa in the one-off Women's Pacific Tri-Nations in 2006.

Ten years after the Women's Pacific Tri-Nations, the Oceania Rugby Women's Championship was established. The first tournament was held in 2016 between Fiji and Papua New Guinea at the ANZ National Stadium in Suva.[2] The tournament was also part of the 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup qualification process.[2] Fiji beat Papua New Guinea 37–10 to win the inaugural Oceania Championship and progress to the next stage of qualifications.[3]

Fiji met Hong Kong and Japan in a Repechage tournament, but lost both matches and did not qualify for the 2017 World Cup.[4] In 2018, Fijiana won the second edition of the Oceania Championship and successfully defended their title after winning all their matches.[5]

The 2019 Oceania Championship also served as a qualifier for the 2021 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. It was also the first time that the Oceania region was granted a spot at the World Cup. New Zealand and Australia had already qualified from the previous World Cup, Fijiana won the remaining spot and qualified for their first World Cup.[6][7]

Fiji played two test matches against Australia and Japan in 2022 at Brisbane.[8][9] It would be their first test match against the Wallaroos and only their second time to meet Japan.[10] Fiji won the 2022 Oceania Rugby Championship in New Zealand.[11][12][13] They created history when they scored the third-highest points in both Men's and Women's Rugby at the 2022 Oceania Championships as they trounced Papua New Guinea 152–0 in Papakura, New Zealand.[14][15]

First World Cup

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In 2022, Fijiana were overwhelmed in their first Rugby World Cup match by England who ran in 14 tries and recorded an 84–19 victory.[16][17] They later achieved their first World Cup win when they defeated South Africa 21–17.[18][19] Their win against the Springbok Women moved them up five places to their highest ranking of 16th from 21st.[20][21] France kept Fiji scoreless in their last World Cup match with a score of 44–0.[22][23]

Second World Cup

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Fiji qualified for their second Rugby World Cup after winning the 2024 Oceania Rugby Women's Championship.[24][25]

Records

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Rugby World Cup

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Rugby World Cup
Year Round GP W D L PF PA
Fiji was not invited to any of the World Cups between 1991 and 2006
England 2010 Did not qualify
France 2014
Ireland 2017
New Zealand 2021 Pool stage 3 1 0 2 40 149
England 2025 Qualified
Australia 2029 TBD
United States 2033
Total 1/9 3 1 0 2 40 149
  Champion   Runner-up   Third place   Fourth place
* Tied placing † Best placing Home venue

Overall

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See also: List of Fiji women's national rugby union team matches

(Full internationals only, updated to 20 May 2023)

Rugby: Fiji internationals from 2006
Opponent First game Played Won Drawn Lost Win %
 Australia 2022 2 0 0 2 0%
 Canada 2022 1 0 0 1 0%
 England 2022 1 0 0 1 0%
 France 2022 1 0 0 1 0%
 Hong Kong 2016 2 0 0 2 0%
 Japan 2016 2 0 0 2 0%
 Papua New Guinea 2016 4 4 0 0 100%
 Samoa 2006 7 4 0 3 57.14%
 South Africa 2022 1 1 0 0 100%
 Tonga 2006 4 4 0 0 100%
Summary 2006 25 13 0 12 52%

Players

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Recent squad

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Fijiana's 30-player squad for the 2024 WXV tournament in Dubai.[26]

Player Position Date of birth (age) Caps Club/province
Bitila Tawake Prop (1999-04-02)2 April 1999 (aged 25) New Zealand Chiefs Manawa
Salanieta Nabuli Prop (2003-02-07)7 February 2003 (aged 21) Fiji Fijian Drua
Loraini Senivutu Forward (2003-01-23)23 January 2003 (aged 21) uncapped Fiji Fijian Drua
Tiana Robanakadavu Prop (2005-07-17)17 July 2005 (aged 19) Fiji Fijian Drua
Penina Turova Forward uncapped
Merevesi Ofakimalino Forward (1994-03-30)30 March 1994 (aged 30) Fiji Fijian Drua
Unaisi Lalabalavu Hooker (2004-03-01)1 March 2004 (aged 20) Fiji Fijian Drua
Anasimeci Korovata Prop (1996-08-01)1 August 1996 (aged 28) Fiji Fijian Drua
Doreen Narokete Lock (2002-04-04)4 April 2002 (aged 22) Australia Queensland Reds
Nunia Daunimoala Lock (1999-06-30)30 June 1999 (aged 25) Fiji Fijian Drua
Sulita Waisega Back row (2004-03-16)16 March 2004 (aged 20) Fiji Fijian Drua
Karalaini Naisewa Back row (1994-07-23)23 July 1994 (aged 30) Fiji Fijian Drua
Sereima Leweniqila Forward (1990-05-05)5 May 1990 (aged 34) Fiji Fijian Drua
Mereoni Nakesa Lock (2003-02-17)17 February 2003 (aged 21) Fiji Fijian Drua
Teresia Tinanivalu Back row (1995-03-26)26 March 1995 (aged 29) Fiji Fijian Drua
Evivi Senikarivi Scrum-half (2000-06-12)12 June 2000 (aged 24) Fiji Fijian Drua
Salanieta Kinita Fly-half (2001-09-14)14 September 2001 (aged 23) Fiji Fijian Drua
Vani Arei Centre (1999-04-14)14 April 1999 (aged 25) Fiji Fijian Drua
Wainikiti Vosadrau Back
Adita Milinia Wing Fiji Fijian Drua
Adi Fulori Rotagavira Back Fiji Fijian Drua
Merewai Cumu Centre (1998-07-31)31 July 1998 (aged 26) Fiji Fijian Drua
Rusila Nagasau Back (1987-08-04)4 August 1987 (aged 37)
Setaita Railumu Scrum-half Fiji Fijian Drua
Jennifer Goodsir Ravutia Fly-half (1995-05-12)12 May 1995 (aged 29) Fiji Fijian Drua
Merewairita Neivosa Centre Fiji Fijian Drua
Atelaite Buna Fullback (2000-07-25)25 July 2000 (aged 24) Fiji Fijian Drua
Luisa Tisolo Fullback (1991-09-20)20 September 1991 (aged 33) Fiji Fijian Drua
Mary Kanace Back uncapped
Iva Sauira Wing (2001-08-30)30 August 2001 (aged 23) uncapped Fiji Fijian Drua

Award winners

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The following Fiji players have been recognised at the World Rugby Awards since 2001:[27]

Coaches

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Coach Years Refs
Seremaia Bai 2016 [28]
Senirusi Seruvakula 2020–2022 [29]
Inoke Male 2023 [30]
Mosese Rauluni 2024– [31]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Women's World Rankings". World Rugby. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
  2. ^ a b Ratulevu, Pate (2016-11-05). "Women's RWC qualification at Stake in Inaugural Oceania Championship". Official Website of Fiji Rugby Union. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
  3. ^ "Fijiana Win Inaugural Oceania Women's Championship". 2016-11-10. Archived from the original on 2016-11-10. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
  4. ^ "Japan and Hong Kong qualify for Women's World Cup". www.world.rugby. 2016-12-13. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
  5. ^ "Fiji win Oceania Rugby Women's Championship title". 2021-11-29. Archived from the original on 2021-11-29. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
  6. ^ "Fiji qualify for Rugby World Cup 2021". www.rugbyworldcup.com. 2019-11-30. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
  7. ^ "Fijiana still in awe after qualifying for 2021 RWC". Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. 2019-12-05. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
  8. ^ "Rooster Chicken to sponsor Fijiana 15s for two historic test matches while Seruvakula names four new overseas-based players". FijiTimes. 2022-04-29. Retrieved 2022-05-15.
  9. ^ "Fiji hope to harness Super W momentum against Japan and Australia". www.rugbyworldcup.com. 2022-04-29. Retrieved 2022-05-15.
  10. ^ "Everything you need to know about the Wallaroos Road to New Zealand tests". www.women.rugby. 2022-05-03. Retrieved 2022-07-09.
  11. ^ "Fijiana win Oceania Rugby Womens Championship in a thriller". oceania.rugby. 2022-07-17. Retrieved 2022-07-18.
  12. ^ Deo, Rohit (2022-07-18). "Fijiana 15s win Oceania tournament". FijiTimes. Retrieved 2022-07-18.
  13. ^ Krishant, Naveel (2022-07-17). "Fijiana 15's win Oceania Rugby Women's Championship". www.fijivillage.com. Retrieved 2022-07-18.
  14. ^ Tavi, Karalaini (2022-07-09). "Fijiana trounces PNG". Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
  15. ^ Rahiman, Antonio (2022-07-09). "Fijiana thrash PNG in a record 152-0 win". www.fijivillage.com. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
  16. ^ Calvert, Lee (2022-10-08). "14-try England overrun Fiji to make Women's Rugby World Cup statement". the Guardian. Retrieved 2022-10-16.
  17. ^ "Favourites England hand Fiji 14-try mauling at World Cup". Reuters. 2022-10-08. Retrieved 2022-10-16.
  18. ^ "Fiji strike late to snatch first World Cup victory". Reuters. 2022-10-16. Retrieved 2022-10-16.
  19. ^ "Thrill-a-minute Fijiana record first-ever Rugby World Cup win". www.women.rugby. 2022-10-16. Retrieved 2022-10-16.
  20. ^ Rasekaseka, Marika (2022-10-17). "Fijiana moved to 16th place in World Rugby ranking by beating South Africa". www.fijivillage.com. Retrieved 2022-10-16.
  21. ^ Rakautoga, Venina (2022-10-17). "Fijiana moves up in ranking". Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2022-10-16.
  22. ^ Curuqara, Paulini (2022-10-24). "France in quarter-finals". FijiTimes. Retrieved 2022-10-27.
  23. ^ Baleilevuka, Rusiate (2022-10-22). "Fijiana go down to France 44-0 in their last WRWC match". www.fijivillage.com. Retrieved 2022-10-27.
  24. ^ "Fijiana XV Secures Direct Qualification to Women's Rugby World Cup 2025". oceania.rugby. 2 June 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  25. ^ "History-making Fiji and Hong Kong China move up World Rugby Women's Rankings". www.world.rugby. 3 June 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  26. ^ Perkins, Bruce (2024-09-23). "All 18 squads for the 2024 WXV". 4 The Love Of Sport. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  27. ^ "Awards Roll of Honour - World Rugby". www.world.rugby. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  28. ^ "Bai ready to lead Fijiana fifteens". The Fiji Times. 2016-10-20. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
  29. ^ "Official Website of Fiji Rugby Union » Senirusi Seruvakula appointed as Fijiana XVs Head Coach". www.fijirugby.com. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
  30. ^ Sakiasi, Alifereti; Naivalurua, Navitalai (2023-02-24). "Inoke Male appointed Fijiana Drua and Fijiana 15's coach". www.fijivillage.com. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
  31. ^ Daucakacaka, Jale (2024-01-11). "Rauluni named as Drua Women and Fijiana XV coach". Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
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