Fiji national rugby union team

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Fiji women's national rugby union team.

The Fiji national rugby union team represents Fiji in men's international rugby union. Fiji competed in the Pacific Tri-Nations and now competes in its successor tournament Pacific Nations Cup. Fiji also regularly plays test matches during the June and November test windows. They have beaten the major rugby playing sides of Wales, Scotland, Australia, France, Italy, Argentina and England. The only major sides Fiji are yet to beat are New Zealand, South Africa and Ireland.

Fiji

Nickname	Flying Fijians
Emblem	Palm tree
Union	Fiji Rugby Union
Head coach	Mick Byrne
Captain	Tevita Ikanivere
Most caps	Nicky Little (71)
Top scorer	Nicky Little (670)
Top try scorer	Vereniki Goneva (22)
Home stadium	ANZ National Stadium
First colours Second colours
World Rugby ranking
Current	9 (as of 14 November 2024)
Highest	7 (2023)
Lowest	16 (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
Appearances	9 (First in 1987)
Best result	Quarterfinals (1987, 2007, 2023)
Medal record Pacific Games 1963 Suva 1969 Port Moresby 1983 Apia 1979 Suva
Website	fijirugby.com

The "Flying Fijians" as they are nicknamed compete every four years at the Rugby World Cup. Their best performances were the 1987, 2007 and 2023 tournaments when they defeated Argentina, Wales and Australia respectively to reach the quarterfinals.

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

Main article: Rugby union in Fiji

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 Māori 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

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. 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.^[2]

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 vs South Africa at the 2007 RWC

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 at the time. 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 presenting Cibi before 2011 Rugby World Cup match against South Africa.

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.

2023 Rugby World Cup

Fiji was placed in Pool C of the 2023 Rugby World Cup along with Georgia, Australia, Wales and Portugal. Fiji played against Wales in their opening match and ultimately lost to Wales with 32-26. The match was highly controversial due to the decisions of referee Matthew Carley, whose decisions attracted many complaints from Fijian fans, former rugby players and former Fiji 7s coach Ben Ryan, this was due to his decision to not give Wales a yellow card on multiple warnings after multiple penalties in their red zone and giving Fiji a yellow card after one offense in the red zone. Fiji then played against Australia on the 18th of September and it was a historic match for the team as Fiji beat Australia 15-22 and this was Fiji's first ever victory over Australia since 1954.

Wins against Tier 1 nations

Fiji have recorded 18 wins against tier 1 opposition. 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.

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[3]
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'	Report (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)

5 August 2023	Japan	12–35	Fiji	Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo
19:15 JST (UTC+09)	Try: Naikabula 71' c Masirewa 77' m Con: Lee Seung-sin (1/2) 72'		Try: Nayacalevu 4' c Mawi 17' c Kuruvoli 38' c Lomani (2) 58' c, 81' c Con: Volavola (4/4) 5', 18', 39', 59' Tela (1/1) 82'	Attendance: 27,000 Referee: Matthew Carley (England)

26 August 2023	England	22–30	Fiji	Twickenham Stadium, London[4]
15:15 BST (UTC+01)	Try: May 9' m Smith 57' c Marchant 68' c Con: Ford (2/3) 58', 69' Pen: Ford (1/1) 6'		Try: Nayacalevu 43' c Habosi 52' c Kuruvoli 72' c Con: Muntz (3/3) 44', 54', 74' Pen: Muntz (3/3) 18', 56', 62'	Attendance: 56,854[5] Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)

17 September 2023	Australia	15–22	Fiji	Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Étienne
17:45 CEST (UTC+2)	Try: Nawaqanitawase 23' m Suliasi Vunivalu 67' c Con: Donaldson (1/2) 69' Pen: Donaldson (1/1) 2'	Report	Try: Tuisova 42' c Con: Kuruvoli (1/1) 43' Pen: Kuruvoli (4/4) 11', 20', 26', 32' Lomani (1/3) 65'	Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)

21 September 2024	Japan	17–41	Fiji	Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Higashiōsaka
19:05 JST (UTC+09)	Try: Karawalevu (3) 32' c, 70'c, 75' c Loganimasi 59' c Tuisue 67' c Con: Muntz (5/5) 33', 60', 68', 71', 76' Pen: Muntz (2/2) 10', 56'	Report	Try: Riley 20' c Tuitama 78' c Con: Seung-sin (2/2) 21', 78' Pen: Seung-sin (1/1) 7'	Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)

10 November 2024	Wales	19–24	Fiji	Principality Stadium, Cardiff
13:40 GMT (UTC+0)	Try: Murray 8' c Penalty try 19' Bevan 66' m Con: Anscombe (1/1) 9'	Report	Try: Muntz 24' c Tuisova 60' m Con: Muntz (1/2) 25' Pen: Muntz (4/4) 12', 43', 49', 75'	Referee: Luc Ramos (France)

Record

Men's World Rugby Rankings

• v
• t
• e

Top 20 as of 11 November 2024^[6]

Rank	Change[i]	Team	Points
1	1	South Africa	092.46
2	1	New Zealand	091.21
3	2	Ireland	090.58
4		France	086.96
5	1	Argentina	085.60
6	1	Scotland	082.70
7	2	England	082.62
8	1	Australia	081.14
9	1	Fiji	080.07
10	2	Italy	078.67
11		Wales	075.04
12		Georgia	074.10
13		Samoa	072.68
14		Japan	072.31
15		Portugal	068.82
16	3	United States	067.49
17	1	Spain	067.10
18	2	Tonga	066.87
19	2	Uruguay	066.58
20		Romania	062.62
21		Chile	061.60
22		Canada	060.81
23		Hong Kong	060.40
24		Russia	058.06
25		Namibia	057.87
26	4	Brazil	057.40
27	1	Netherlands	057.28
28	1	Belgium	056.51
29		Zimbabwe	056.33
30	2	Switzerland	056.04

1. Change from the previous week

Fiji's historical rankings

See or edit source data.

Source: World Rugby^[6]
Graph updated to 11 November 2024

Below is table of the representative rugby matches played by a Fiji national XV at test level up until 16 November 2024.^[7]

Opponent	Played	Won	Lost	Drawn	Win %	For	Aga	Diff
Argentina	4	1	3	0	25.0%	96	130	−34
Australia	23	3	19	1	13.04%	291	665	−374
Barbarians	4	1	3	0	25%	91	159	−68
Belgium	1	1	0	0	100%	76	0	+76
British & Irish Lions	1	1	0	0	100%	25	21	+4
Canada	12	9	3	0	75%	409	221	+188
Canada XV	1	1	0	0	100%	13	3	+10
Chile	1	1	0	0	100%	41	16	+25
Classic All Blacks	1	1	0	0	100%	33	14	+19
Cook Islands	2	2	0	0	100%	161	13	+148
England	9	1	8	0	12.5%	163	355	−192
England XV	3	0	3	0	0%	38	92	−54
France	11	1	10	0	9.09%	149	407	−258
France XV	1	0	1	0	0%	4	13	−9
Georgia	8	6	1	1	75%	200	109	+91
Hong Kong	3	3	0	0	100%	155	33	+122
Ireland	5	0	5	0	0%	68	207	−139
Ireland XV	2	0	2	0	0%	15	24	−9
Italy	12	6	6	0	50%	275	282	−7
Japan	20	16	4	0	80%	564	375	+189
Namibia	2	2	0	0	100%	116	43	+73
Māori All Blacks	29	7	20	2	24.14%	383	517	−134
New Zealand	8	0	8	0	0%	91	528	−437
New Zealand XV	5	0	5	0	0%	25	155	−130
Niue	1	1	0	0	100%	120	4	+116
Papua New Guinea	3	3	0	0	100%	253	3	+250
Portugal	3	2	1	0	66.67%	85	54	+31
Romania	3	2	1	0	66.67%	70	42	+28
Samoa	56	32	21	3	57.14%	1,144	979	+165
Scotland	10	2	8	0	20%	218	343	−125
Scotland XV	2	0	2	0	0%	22	53	−31
Solomon Islands	2	2	0	0	100%	199	13	+186
South Africa	3	0	3	0	0%	41	129	−88
Spain	3	3	0	0	100%	115	52	+63
Tonga	95	65	27	3	68.42%	1,931	1,276	+655
United States	7	6	1	0	85.71%	165	100	+65
Uruguay	4	3	1	0	75%	181	76	+105
Wales	15	2	12	1	13.33%	235	447	−212
Wales XV	3	0	3	0	0%	33	67	−34
Total	378	186	181	11	49.21%	8,294	8,020	+274

World Cup record

Main article: Fiji at the Rugby World Cup

Rugby World Cup record											Qualification
Year	Round	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	Squad	Head coach		Pos	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA
1987	Quarter-finals	4	1	0	3	72	132	Squad	J. Sovau		Invited
1991	Pool Stage	3	0	0	3	27	63	Squad	S. Viriviri		Automatically qualified
1995	Did not qualify										2nd	2	1	0	1	26	34
1999	Quarter-final play-offs	4	2	0	2	148	113	Squad	B. Johnstone		2nd	5	4	0	1	151	116
2003	Pool Stage	4	2	0	2	98	114	Squad	M. McCallion		1st	4	3	0	1	123	80
2007	Quarter-finals	5	3	0	2	134	173	Squad	I. Tabua		2nd	4	3	0	1	74	83
2011	Pool Stage	4	1	0	3	59	167	Squad	S. Domoni		Automatically qualified
2015	Pool Stage	4	1	0	3	84	101	Squad	J. McKee		1st	1	1	0	0	108	6
2019	Pool Stage	4	1	0	3	110	108	Squad			1st	4	4	0	0	101	60
2023	Quarter-finals	5	2	0	3	112	113	Squad	S. Raiwalui		Automatically qualified
Total	—	37	13	0	24	844	1084	—	—		—	20	16	0	4	583	379
Champions    Runners-up    Third place    Fourth place Home venue

Pacific Nations Cup

Main article: World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup

Fiji previously competed in the Pacific Tri-Nations winning 9 tournaments. The Pacific Nations Cup replaced the Tri-Nations tournament in 2006. Fiji have won seven tournaments.

Tournament	Won	Drawn	Lost	Fiji finish
2006	2	0	2	3rd / 5
2007	1	1	3	4th / 6
2008	2	0	3	4th / 6
2009	3	0	1	2nd / 5
2010	2	0	1	2nd / 4
2011	1	0	2	4th / 4
2012	2	0	1	2nd / 4
2013	3	0	1	1st / 5
2014	1	0	1	2nd / 3
2015	3	1	0	1st / 6
2016	2	0	0	1st / 3
2017	2	0	0	1st / 3
2018	2	0	0	1st / 4
2019	2	0	1	2nd / 6
2022	1	0	2	3rd / 4
2023	3	0	0	1st / 4
2024	4	0	0	1st / 6
Total	36	2	18	7 titles

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

Period	Kit manufacturer	Main shirt sponsor
1970–2003	Canterbury	National Bank of Fiji
		Vodafone
2004–2005	Cotton Traders	Digicel
2005–2016	KooGa–BLK	Fiji Flour Mills
		Fiji Airways
		Vodafone
2017–2021	ISC	Fiji Airways
		Vodafone
		Swire Shipping
2021–present	Nike	Fiji Water

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 11 October 2024 the Fiji named a 39-player squad for their opening 2024 Autumn Tour tests against Scotland, Wales, Spain and Ireland.^[8]

Head Coach: Mick Byrne

• Caps Updated: 16 November 2024 (after game v Spain)

Player	Position	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Club/province
Penaia Cakobau	Hooker	(1993-12-28) 28 December 1993 (age 30)	0	North Harbour
Mesu Dolokoto	Hooker	(1995-01-21) 21 January 1995 (age 29)	19	Fijian Drua
Tevita Ikanivere	Hooker	(1999-09-06) 6 September 1999 (age 25)	22	Fijian Drua
Samuel Matavesi	Hooker	(1992-01-13) 13 January 1992 (age 32)	33	Lyon
Haereiti Hetet	Prop	(1997-07-10) 10 July 1997 (age 27)	14	Fijian Drua / Bay of Plenty
Jone Koroiduadua	Prop	(1999-03-10) 10 March 1999 (age 25)	5	Fijian Drua
Eroni Mawi	Prop	(1996-06-02) 2 June 1996 (age 28)	38	Saracens
Livai Natave	Prop	(1999-04-20) 20 April 1999 (age 25)	4	Fijian Drua
Luke Tagi	Prop	(1997-06-23) 23 June 1997 (age 27)	16	Bayonne
Samu Tawake	Prop	(1996-11-11) 11 November 1996 (age 28)	12	Fijian Drua / Canterbury
Meli Tuni	Prop	(2000-06-29) 29 June 2000 (age 24)	1	Fijian Drua
Temo Mayanavanua	Lock	(1997-11-09) 9 November 1997 (age 27)	22	Northampton Saints
Isoa Nasilasila	Lock	(1999-09-13) 13 September 1999 (age 25)	19	Fijian Drua
Ratu Leone Rotuisolia	Lock	(1998-02-21) 21 February 1998 (age 26)	6	Fijian Drua
Setareki Turagacoke	Lock	(2006-06-12) 12 June 2006 (age 18)	1	Stade Français
Mesake Vocevoce	Lock	(2003-05-16) 16 May 2003 (age 21)	6	Fijian Drua
Elia Canakaivata	Back row	(1996-07-12) 12 July 1996 (age 28)	9	Fijian Drua
Meli Derenalagi	Back row	(1998-11-26) 26 November 1998 (age 25)	12	Fijian Drua
Vilive Miramira	Back row	(1999-03-21) 21 March 1999 (age 25)	5	Fijian Drua
Kitione Salawa Jr.	Back row	(2001-05-23) 23 May 2001 (age 23)	8	Fijian Drua
Albert Tuisue	Back row	(1993-06-06) 6 June 1993 (age 31)	32	Gloucester
Saimoni Uluinakauvadra	Back row	(1998-07-05) 5 July 1998 (age 26)	1	Northland
Simione Kuruvoli	Scrum-half	(1999-01-02) 2 January 1999 (age 25)	16	Fijian Drua
Frank Lomani	Scrum-half	(1996-04-18) 18 April 1996 (age 28)	39	Fijian Drua
Ratu Peni Matawalu	Scrum-half	(1997-07-08) 8 July 1997 (age 27)	12	Fijian Drua
Caleb Muntz	Fly-half	(1999-10-30) 30 October 1999 (age 25)	12	Fijian Drua
Vilimoni Botitu	Centre	(1998-06-15) 15 June 1998 (age 26)	15	Castres Olympique
Waqa Nalaga	Centre	(2003-07-07) 7 July 2003 (age 21)	1	Fijian Drua / Otago
Waisea Nayacalevu (c)	Centre	(1990-06-26) 26 June 1990 (age 34)	48	Sale Sharks
Semi Radradra	Centre	(1992-06-13) 13 June 1992 (age 32)	21	Lyon
Inia Tabuavou	Centre	(2002-08-31) 31 August 2002 (age 22)	8	Racing 92
Kemu Valetini	Centre	(1994-08-26) 26 August 1994 (age 30)	1	Fijian Drua
Apisalome Vota	Centre	(1996-10-06) 6 October 1996 (age 28)	4	Fijian Drua
Vuate Karawalevu	Wing	(2001-03-05) 5 March 2001 (age 23)	6	Waratahs
Ponepati Loganimasi	Wing	(1998-03-26) 26 March 1998 (age 26)	3	Fijian Drua
Josua Tuisova	Wing	(1994-02-04) 4 February 1994 (age 30)	25	Racing 92
Jiuta Wainiqolo	Wing	(1999-03-10) 10 March 1999 (age 25)	9	Toulon
Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula	Fullback	(2004-01-07) 7 January 2004 (age 20)	9	Fijian Drua Manawatu
Ilaisa Droasese	Fullback	(1999-09-13) 13 September 1999 (age 25)	12	Fijian Drua
Sireli Maqala	Fullback	(2000-03-20) 20 March 2000 (age 24)	11	Bayonne

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	2012-2022	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: New Zealand vs Fiji, 19 July 2024. 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	2010–2021	32	30	2	237	22
3	Sanivalati Laulau	Wing	1980–1985	32	32	0	80	20
4	Waisea Nayacalevu	Wing	2012–present	44	38	6	90	18
5	Norman Ligairi	Fullback	2000–2010	47	39	8	85	17
6	Timoci Nagusa	Wing	2008–2018	33	26	7	80	16
	Viliame Satala	Centre	1999–2005	29	27	2	80	16
8	Fero Lasagavibau	Wing	1997–2002	23	20	3	75	15
9	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: Spain vs Fiji, 16 November 2024. 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	2015–2023	44	38	6	294	4	74	41	1
4	Severo Koroduadua	Fullback	1982–1991	27	27	0	268	0	56	47	5
5	Nemani Nadolo	Wing	2010–2021	32	30	2	237	22	32	21	0
6	Waisale Serevi	Fly-half	1989–2003	38	23	15	221	11	40	27	3
7	Caleb Muntz	Fly-half	2023-present	12	11	1	121	1	31	18	0
8	Vereniki Goneva	Centre	2007–2019	59	49	10	110	22	0	0	0
9	Taniela Rawaqa	Fullback	2007–2011	17	13	4	103	4	19	15	0
10	Waisea Nayacalevu	Wing	2012–present	44	38	6	90	18	0	0	0

Last updated: Spain vs Fiji, 16 November 2024. 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: New Zealand vs Fiji, 19 July 2024. 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: New Zealand vs Fiji, 19 July 2024. 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	Waisea Nayacalevu	Wing	2020–present	19	10	8	1	55.00	45	9
	Esala Teleni	Number 8	1983–1989	19	8	11	0	42.10	28	7
5	Mosese Rauluni	Scrum-half	2004–2008	17	10	7	0	58.82	5	1
6	Dominiko Waqaniburotu	Flanker	2010–2019	16	8	8	0	50.00	10	2
7	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
9	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

Last updated: Spain vs Fiji, 16 November 2024. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

Notable players

• Sireli 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

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
2023	Simon Raiwalui
2024–present	Mick Byrne

See also

• Sports portal

• Pacific 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 Cup
• All Blacks vs Fiji Rugby

Notes

References

1. "Rugby World Cup: The Tongan priest, Fijian panache and airport training". Rugby World. 8 September 2015. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
2. "Five Fijians banned after brawl". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
3. "Test-match di giugno: Italrugby contro Fiji, Samoa e Giappone". onrugby.it. 31 December 2013. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
4. "England will play two home fixtures at Twickenham next summer as part of their preparation for the 2023 Rugby World Cup". 3 October 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
5. Coles, Ben (26 August 2023). "England in disarray going into Rugby World Cup after shock Fiji defeat". The Telegraph. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
6. "Men's World Rankings". World Rugby. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
7. Fiji rugby statistics
8. "Your FIJI Water Flying Fijians squad to the upcoming November tour". Fiji Rugby Union. 11 October 2024. Retrieved 16 October 2024.

Sources

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

External links

• Official website
• 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