Marika Vunibaka

Marika "Dawainavesi" Vunibaka (born 3 November 1974) is a Fijian former rugby union player. He represented the Fiji national team on numerous occasions, including at the 1999 Rugby World Cup in Wales and the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

Marika Vunibaka
Date of birth (1974-11-03) 3 November 1974
Place of birthLevuka, Lomaiviti, Fiji
Height187 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight98 kg (15 st 6 lb; 216 lb)
SchoolMarist Brothers High School
Occupation(s)Professional rugby union player
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2015–16 Leeton Phantoms ()
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1997 Leicester Tigers 1 (0)
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
2000–04 Canterbury 28 (60(12t))
Correct as of 15 July 2013
Super Rugby
Years Team Apps (Points)
2000–04 Crusaders 50 (175(35t))
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1999–03 Fiji 17 (40(8t))
Correct as of 15 July 2013
National sevens team(s)
Years Team Comps
1997–08 Fiji 7s
Coaching career
Years Team
2017 Leeton Phantoms RFC
Medal record
Men's rugby sevens
Representing  Fiji
Commonwealth Games
Silver medal – second place 1998 Kuala Lumpur Team competition

Vunibaka represented Fiji at rugby sevens level from 1997 to 2008 and is one of the few sevens players to play in three Rugby World Cup Sevens, 1997, 2001 and 2005. Fiji won the World Cup in both 1997 and 2005, and he was the top try scorer in the 1997 World Cup.[1]

Rugby fifteens

Vunibaka joined Leicester on trial in 1997, he scored a hat trick of three tries on his only first team appearance against Loughborough Students, he was the first Leicester player to score a hat trick on debut since 1935.[2] He was unable to secure a UK work permit so could not play in competitive fixtures and therefore left the club.[3]

Vunibaka played for the New Zealand team the Crusaders in the international Super 12 competition and Canterbury in the N.P.C.[4] He scored 35 tries out of the 50 Matches for Crusaders. He is still the 2nd fastest player in Super rugby to reach 25 tries after scoring his 25th try in his 30th game for the crusaders, 2 matches behind Joe Roff.

Vunibaka made his Test debut for Fiji in a match against Canada in Vancouver. He was then included in the Fijian squad for the 1999 Rugby World Cup in Wales, where he scored a try in the pool match against Canada. He was included in their 2003 Rugby World Cup squad, and scored a try in the win over Japan.

Coaching

Vunibaka after playing 2 seasons (2015–2016) with the Leeton Phantoms in Southern Inland NSW he took over as head coach in 2017. Vunibaka lead the club to the Club Championship and 1st Grade to an undefeated home and away season and their first grand final appearance since 1998 where the Leeton Phantoms held on to win 30–29 over Wagga Wagga Waratahs for the club's second 1st Grade Premiership and first since 1991.

References
  1. "Rugby World Cup Sevens Blast from the Past - Marika Vunibaka 1997". Rugby World Cup. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  2. Farmer, Stuart; Hands, David. Tigers – Official history of Leicester Football Club. The Rugby DevelopmentFoundation. p. 466. ISBN 978-0-9930213-0-5.
  3. "Rugby Union: Vunibaka refused permit". The Independent. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  4. "Marika Vunibaka". New Zealand Rugby History. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
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