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
Appearances8 (First in 1993)
Best resultChampions (1997, 2005, 2022)
World Rugby series (2005–2006, 2014–2015, 2015–2016, 2018–2019)
Fiji national rugby sevens team
Medal record
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place2016 Rio de JaneiroTeam
Gold medal – first place2020 TokyoTeam
Rugby Sevens World Cup
Gold medal – first place1997 British Hong KongTeam
Gold medal – first place2005 Hong KongTeam
Gold medal – first place2022 Cape TownTeam
Bronze medal – third place1993 EdinburghTeam
Bronze medal – third place2001 Mar del PlataTeam
Bronze medal – third place2013 MoscowTeam
World Games
Gold medal – first place2001 AkitaTeam
Gold medal – first place2005 DuisburgTeam
Gold medal – first place2009 KaohsiungTeam
Oceania Sevens Championship
Gold medal – first place2014 NoosaTeam
Gold medal – first place2016 SuvaTeam
Gold medal – first place2017 SuvaTeam
Gold medal – first place2018 SuvaTeam
Gold medal – first place2021 TownsvilleTeam
Silver medal – second place2011 ApiaTeam
Silver medal – second place2013 SuvaTeam
Silver medal – second place2019 SuvaTeam
Pacific Games
Gold medal – first place1999 Santa RitaTeam
Gold medal – first place2003 SuvaTeam
Gold medal – first place2007 ApiaTeam
Gold medal – first place2015 Port MoresbyTeam
Gold medal – first place2019 ApiaTeam
Silver medal – second place2011 NoumeaTeam

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.

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

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
Brazil 2016[6] Final 1st 6 6 0 0 J. Tuisova (5) Finished first at the 2014–15 World Series
Japan 2020 Final 1st 6 6 0 0 Jiuta Wainiqolo (5) Finished first at the 2018–19 World Series
France 2024 Qualified Finished third at the 2022–23 World Series
Total2 Titles3/3121200
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
Scotland 1993 Semifinals 3rd 9 7 2 0
Hong Kong 1997 Finals 1st 7 7 0 0 M. Vunibaka (12) W. Serevi (117)
Argentina 2001 Semifinals 3rd 7 6 1 0
Hong Kong 2005 Finals 1st 8 8 0 0
United Arab Emirates 2009 Quarterfinals 5th 4 3 1 0
Russia 2013 Semifinals 3rd 6 4 2 0
United States 2018 Semifinals 4th 4 2 2 0
South Africa 2022 Finals 1st 4 4 0 0
Total3 Titles8/8494180M. Vunibaka (23)W. Serevi (297)

Commonwealth Games

Tournament Victories

Players

Current squad

The following players have been selected to represent Fiji during the 2023–24 SVNS tournament beginning in December 2023.

Note: Caps reflect the total number of SVNS events competed in as of the 2023 Dubai Sevens.

Player Position Date of birth (age) Caps Club/province
Jerry Matana Forward (1998-07-14) 14 July 1998 14 Unattached
Sevuloni Mocenacagi Forward (1990-06-29) 29 June 1990 48 Rouen
Kaminieli Rasaku Forward (1999-07-12) 12 July 1999 10 Bayonne
Filipe Sauturaga Forward (1994-06-19) 19 June 1994 12 Unattached
Joseva Talacolo (c) Forward (1997-04-01) 1 April 1997 13 Unattached
Ilikimi Vunaki Forward 2001 (age 22–23) 1 Unattached
Pilipo Bukayaro Back (1999-03-18) 18 March 1999 15 Unattached
Josese Batirerega Back (1999-11-28) 28 November 1999 9 Unattached
Rubeni Kabu Back 1997 (age 26–27) 1 Unattached
Netava Koroisau Back 1996 (age 27–28) 1 Unattached
Manueli Maisamoa Back (1995-08-09) 9 August 1995 17 Unattached
Vuiviawa Naduvalo Back (1996-05-25) 25 May 1996 15 Unattached
Kavekini Tabu Back (1994-06-21) 21 June 1994 7 Bressane
Terio Tamani Back (1994-07-06) 6 July 1994 13 Unattached

Records and statistics

Olympic squads

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:

Head coaches

Coach Tenure Note
Gareth Baber 2016–21 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.
Alifereti Dere 2010–13
Waisale Serevi 2005–07; 2008–09 Serevi coached/played in the side from 2005 to 2007 guiding Fiji to their first World Sevens Series title in the 2005–2006 season.
Pauliasi Tabulutu 2004–06
Wayne Pivac 2005
Etuate Waqa
Ratu Kitione Vesikula
Rupeni Ravonu
Peni Veidreyaki
Alifereti Cawanibuka
Tomasi Cama 2001
Josateki Sovau 1987
Sanivalati Laulau
Timoci Wainiqolo

See also

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. ↑ World Rugby
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