Fiji national rugby union team

Fiji national rugby union team for Rugby World Cup 2011

 

 

Fiji national rugby union team

The Fiji national rugby union team is one of the strongest national rugby union teams of the world, and the strongest from Oceania, even still as a second tier nation. It is a member of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance (PIRA) formerly along with Samoa and Tonga. In 2009, Samoa announced their departure from the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance, leaving just Fiji and Tonga. Fiji are ranked ninth in the world by the IRB as of 23 March 2009. Despite this low rating in the 2007 Rugby World Cup Fiji defeated Wales 38–31 to claim a quarter final spot (theoretically placing them in the top 8 teams in the world) and proceeded to give eventual winners South Africa a scare eventually going down 37–20.

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 of the problems for Fiji is simply getting their players to play for the country as many have contracts in Europe or with Super 14 teams where the money is far more rewarding. The repatriated salaries of its overseas stars have become an important part of some local economies. In addition a significant number of players eligible to play for Fiji end up representing Australia or New Zealand; two notable examples are the Fiji-born, but New Zealand-raised, cousins and All Blacks Joe Rokocoko and Sitiveni Sivivatu and Wallabies Wing Lote Tuqiri. Fiji has won the most Pacific Tri-Nations Championships of the three participating teams. The cibi (pronounced [?ðimbi]) 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.

FIJI RUGBY

Union	Fiji Rugby Union
Emblem (s)	The Palm
Coach(es)	Sam Domoni
Captain(s)	Deacon Manu
Most caps	Nicky Little (65)
Top scorer	Nicky Little (652)
Most tries	Sanivalati Laulau (20)
Appearances	5 (First in 1987)
Best result	Quarter Finals, 1987, 2007

Current squad

Fiji Rugby Jersey

Fiji’s 28-man training squad for the Pacific Nations Cup.  Jone Qovu, Isa Nacewa, Vilimoni Delasau, Rupeni Caucaunibuca, Josh Matavesi and Sireli Bobo all withdrew due to personal or club reasons.

Head Coach: Sam Domoni

Hooker: Talemaitoga Tuapati, Viliame Veikoso,

Prop: Graham Dewes, Penijamini Makutu, Deacon Manu (c),

Lock: Tevita Cavubati, Sekonaia Kalou, Leone Nakarawa,

Flanker: Samu Bola, Josefa Domolailai, Rupeni Nasiga, Malakai Ravulo

Number 8: Sakiusa Matadigo, Dominiko Waqaniburotu

Scrum-half: Vitori Buatava, Nemia Kenatale,

Fly-half: Ravai Fatiaki, Nicky Little, Waisea Luveniyali,

Centre: Adriu Delai, Gabiriele Lovobalavu, Albert VuliVuli,

Wing: Ilikena Bolakoro, Vereniki Goneva, Timoci Nagusa

Fullback: Kini Murimurivalu, Taniela Rawaqa

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