Fiji national rugby sevens 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. Thus Fiji is the sole nation to have won Olympic gold in the sport.[1] They are the only country 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.

Republic of Fiji
UnionFiji Rugby Union
Captain(s)Josua Vakurunabili
Top scorerWaisale Serevi (1310)
Most triesJerry Tuwai (133)
Team kit
Change kit
World Cup Sevens
Appearances7 (First in 1993)
Best resultChampions (1997, 2005)
World Rugby series (2005–2006, 2014–2015, 2015–2016, 2018–2019)
Fiji national rugby sevens team
Medal record
Olympic Games
2016 Rio de JaneiroTeam
2020 TokyoTeam
Rugby Sevens World Cup
1997 British Hong KongTeam
2005 Hong KongTeam
2022 Cape TownTeam
1993 EdinburghTeam
2001 Mar del PlataTeam
2013 MoscowTeam
World Games
2001 AkitaTeam
2005 DuisburgTeam
2009 KaohsiungTeam
Oceania Sevens Championship
2014 NoosaTeam
2016 SuvaTeam
2017 SuvaTeam
2018 SuvaTeam
2021 TownsvilleTeam
2011 ApiaTeam
2013 SuvaTeam
2019 SuvaTeam
Pacific Games
1999 Santa RitaTeam
2003 SuvaTeam
2007 ApiaTeam
2015 Port MoresbyTeam
2019 ApiaTeam
2011 NoumeaTeam

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

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. 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
Main article: World Rugby Sevens Series
Summary
RankTimesSeasons
1st42005-06, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2018-2019
2nd61999-2000, 2004–05, 2006–07, 2008–09, 2011–12, 2017–18
3rd72000-01, 2002–03, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2016–17, 2019–20, 2021–22
4th52001-02, 2003–04, 2007–08, 2009–10, 2010–11
Total22

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.

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)
Total4 Titles1762681Nasoni Roko (125)Waisale Serevi (1,310)

Quadrennial tournaments

Summer Olympics
Fiji teams at the 2020 Summer Olympics
Olympic Games record
Year Round Pos Pld W L D Most tries Qualifying
2016[6] Final 1st 6 6 0 0 J. Tuisova (5) Finished first at the 2014–15 World Series
2020 Final 1st 6 6 0 0 Jiuta Wainiqolo (5) Finished first at the 2018–19 World Series
Total2 Titles2/2121200
Olympic Games History
2016 Pool stage Fiji 40 – 12  BrazilWin
 Fiji 21 – 14  ArgentinaWin
 Fiji 24 – 19  United StatesWin
Quarterfinals Fiji 12 – 7  New ZealandWin
Semifinals Fiji 20 – 5  JapanWin
Final Fiji 43 – 7  Great BritainWin
2020 Pool stage Fiji 24 – 19  JapanWin
 Fiji 28 – 14  CanadaWin
 Fiji 33 – 7  Great BritainWin
Quarterfinals Fiji 19 – 0  AustraliaWin
Semifinals Fiji 26 – 14  ArgentinaWin
Final Fiji 27 – 12  New ZealandWin

Rugby World Cup Sevens
World Cup Sevens record
Year Round Position Played Won Lost Drew Most tries Most points
1993 Semifinals 3rd 9 7 2 0
1997 Finals 1st 7 7 0 0 M. Vunibaka (12) W. Serevi (117)
2001 Semifinals 3rd 7 6 1 0
2005 Finals 1st 8 8 0 0
2009 Quarterfinals 5th 4 3 1 0
2013 Semifinals 3rd 6 4 2 0
2018 Semifinals 4th 4 2 2 0
2022 Finals 1st 4 4 0 0
Total2 Titles8/8494180M. Vunibaka (23)W. Serevi (297)

Commonwealth Games

Tournament Victories
  • World Sevens Series Winners (2005–06, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2018-19)
  • Summer Olympics Gold (2016, 2020)[10]
  • Rugby World Cup Sevens Champions (1997, 2005)[11]
  • Commonwealth Games: Silver (1998, 2002, 2018); Bronze (2006)
  • Hong Kong Sevens Winners (1977, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2005, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019)
  • World Games Gold (2001, 2005, 2009)
  • Pacific Games Gold (1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2015, 2019)
  • Darwin Hottest Sevens Winner (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008)
  • Oceania Sevens Winners (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021)[12]
  • Gala Sevens Winner (1991)
  • Australia Sevens Winners (2000, 2007, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2020)
  • USA Sevens Winners (2007, 2015, 2016)
  • Singapore Sevens Winners (2006, 2018)
  • Scotland Sevens Winners (2009, 2015)
  • Mar de Plata Winners (2000, 2002)
  • New Zealand Sevens Winners (2000, 2006, 2010, 2018, 2019)
  • South Africa Sevens Winners (1999, 2002, 2005, 2018)
  • London Sevens Winners (2006, 2012, 2018, 2019)
  • Dubai Sevens Winners (2013, 2015)
  • Japan Sevens Winners (1995–97, 2000, 2014)

Players

Current squad

Fiji team for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics

  1. Kalione Nasoko
  2. Josua Vakurunabili
  3. Meli Derenalagi
  4. Iosefo Masi
  5. Asaeli Tuivuaka
  6. Semi Radradra
  7. Vilimoni Botitu
  8. Waisea Nacuqu
  9. Napolioni Bolaca
  10. Jiuta Wainiqolo
  11. Aminiasi Tuimaba
  12. Jerry Tuwai (c)

Player records

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

Former players

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

  • Manasa Bari
  • Sireli Bobo
  • Vilimoni Delasau
  • Temesia Kaumaia
  • Ifereimi Naruma
  • Norman Ligairi
  • Timoci Matanavou
  • Lepani Nabuliwaqa
  • Vereniki Goneva
  • Setareki Tawake
  • Aisea Tuilevu
  • Seru Rabeni
  • Kameli Ratuvou
  • Ifereimi Rawaqa
  • Viliame Satala
  • Jope Tuikabe
  • Mosese Volavola
  • Apolosi Satala
  • Semisi Naevo
  • Watekini Vunisa

Head coaches
  • Gareth Baber (2016–present) - 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.
  • Waisale Serevi (2005–07; 2008–09) — Serevi coached/played in the side from 2005-2007 guiding Fiji to their first World Sevens Series title in the 2005/2006 season.
  • Etuwate Waqa
  • Ratu Kitione Vesikula
  • Alifereti Dere (2010–13)
  • Pauliasi Tabulutu (2004–06)
  • Rupeni Ravonu
  • Peni Veidreyaki
  • Alifereti Cawanibuka
  • Josateki Sovau
  • Tomasi Cama (2001)
  • Sanivalati Laulau
  • Tevita Wainiqolo

See also
  • Fiji Rugby Union
  • Fiji national rugby union team

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

References
  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. WorldRugby.org, updated 5 April 2020
  14. WorldRugby.org
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