Simon Raiwalui

Simon Raiwalui (born 8 September 1974) is a Fijian former rugby union player. He served as the General Manager for his former French club, Racing Métro 92. He has represented Fiji on a number of occasions and is the current coach of the team. He has also been included in the Pacific Islanders (combined Samoa, Tonga and Fiji) touring team for Europe in November 2006. His usual position is at lock.

Simon Raiwalui
Date of birth (1974-09-08) 8 September 1974
Place of birthAuckland, New Zealand
Height6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Weight271 lb (123 kg; 19.4 st)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Lock
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
Sale Sharks
Newport
Saracens
Racing Métro 92		 ()
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1997-2006
2006		  Fiji
Pacific Islanders		 39
3		 (20)
(0)
Coaching career
Years Team
2023–  Fiji

Early life

Raiwalui was born in Auckland, New Zealand, but was educated in Australia, where along with playing school rugby, played for club side Manly, from Colts level through to the under-21 side. He was also selected to represent the Australian Schoolboys, alongside other footballers such as Ben Tune and Joe Roff.

Rugby career

In 1997 he left Australia to play rugby in England. He joined the Sale Sharks, and later moved to Wales to play for Newport. He joined the Saracens in 2003 and made his debut for the club in September of that year against the Newcastle Falcons.

He qualifies for Fiji through his parents.[1] He debuted for Fiji against the New Zealand All Blacks. While with Newport, he was selected for the Fijian 1999 Rugby World Cup squad.[2] He retired from international rugby prior to the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia, though he came out of retirement for Fiji in the Pacific Nations Cup in 2006, and was then selected in the combined Pacific Nations squad.[3]

In February 2023 he was selected as head coach of the Flying Fijians.[4] Following their defeat in the quarter-finals of the 2023 Rugby World Cup he announced that he would leave his post on December 31st 2023. [5]

References
  1. "Raiwalui declines Fiji's advances". Watford Observer. 30 September 2003. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  2. "Raiwalui rejects late call from Fiji". Guardian. 30 September 2003. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  3. "Pacific Islanders turn to Raiwalui". Wales Online. 21 September 2006. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  4. "Ex-captain to be Fiji's new national coach". RNZ. 25 February 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  5. "Simon Raiwalui to leave Fiji after memorable Rugby World Cup campaign". Planet Rugby. 19 October 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
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