Fiji
UnionFiji Rugby Union
CoachOsea Kolinisau
CaptainJeremaia Matana
Top scorerWaisale Serevi (1310)
Most triesWaisea Nacuqu (135)
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
2016 Rio de Janeiro Team
2020 Tokyo Team
2024 Paris Team
Rugby Sevens World Cup
1997 British Hong Kong Team
2005 Hong Kong Team
2022 Cape Town Team
1993 Edinburgh Team
2001 Mar del Plata Team
2013 Moscow Team
World Games
2001 Akita Team
2005 Duisburg Team
2009 Kaohsiung Team
Oceania Sevens Championship
2014 Noosa Team
2016 Suva Team
2017 Suva Team
2018 Suva Team
2021 Townsville Team
2011 Apia Team
2013 Suva Team
2019 Suva Team
Pacific Games
1999 Santa Rita Team
2003 Suva Team
2007 Apia Team
2015 Port Moresby Team
2019 Apia Team
2011 Noumea 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.[1] Fiji would fall short from winning gold for a third straight time in 2024 after a defeat in the final to hosts France. Overall, Fiji are the only national rugby sevens team 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
Rank Times Seasons
1st 4 2005–06, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2018–2019
2nd 6 1999–2000, 2004–05, 2006–07, 2008–09, 2011–12, 2017–18, 2024–25
3rd 9 2000–01, 2002–03, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2016–17, 2019–20, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24
4th 5 2001–02, 2003–04, 2007–08, 2009–10, 2010–11
6th 1 2023-24
Total 25

Fiji has won the World Rugby Sevens Series four times — first in 2005–06, and most recently in 2018–19.

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)
2019–20 3rd 6 83 Aminiasi Tuimaba (20) Napolioni Bolaca (159)
2021 Did Not Participate
2021–22 3rd 9 122 Viwa Naduvalo (28) Waisea Nacuqu (230)
2022–23 3rd 11 156 Waisea Nacuqu (317)
2023–24 6th 7 80
2024–25 2nd 6 96 Joji Nasova (26) Joji Nasova (158)
Total 4 Titles 209 3039 Nasoni Roko (125) Waisale Serevi (1,310)

Quadrennial tournaments

Summer Olympics

Olympic Games record
Year Round Pos Pld W L D Most tries Qualifying
2016[6] Gold Medal Match 1st 6 6 0 0 Josua Tuisova (5) Finished first at the 2014–15 World Series
2020 Gold Medal Match 1st 6 6 0 0 Jiuta Wainiqolo (5) Finished first at the 2018–19 World Series
2024 Gold Medal Match 2nd 6 5 1 0 Joji Nasova (4) Finished third at the 2022–23 World Series
Total 2 Titles 3/3 18 17 1 0
Olympic Games History
2016 Pool stage Fiji  40 – 12  Brazil Win
Fiji  21 – 14  Argentina Win
Fiji  24 – 19  United States Win
Quarterfinals Fiji  12 – 7  New Zealand Win
Semifinals Fiji  20 – 5  Japan Win
Gold Medal Match Fiji  43 – 7  Great Britain Win
2020 Pool stage Fiji  24 – 19  Japan Win
Fiji  28 – 14  Canada Win
Fiji  33 – 7  Great Britain Win
Quarterfinals Fiji  19 – 0  Australia Win
Semifinals Fiji  26 – 14  Argentina Win
Gold Medal Match Fiji  27 – 12  New Zealand Win
2024 Pool stage Fiji  40 – 12  Uruguay Win
Fiji  38 – 12  United States Win
Fiji  19 – 12  France Win
Quarterfinals Fiji  19 – 15  Ireland Win
Semifinals Fiji  31 – 7  Australia Win
Gold Medal Match Fiji  7 – 28  France Loss

Rugby World Cup Sevens

World Cup Sevens record
Year Round Position Played Won Lost Drew Most tries Most points
1993 Semi-finals 3rd 9 7 2 0
1997 Finals 1st 7 7 0 0 M. Vunibaka (12) W. Serevi (117)
2001 Semi-finals 3rd 7 6 1 0
2005 Finals 1st 8 8 0 0
2009 Quarter-finals 5th 4 3 1 0
2013 Semi-finals 3rd 6 4 2 0
2018 Semi-finals 4th 4 2 2 0
2022 Finals 1st 4 4 0 0
Total 3 Titles 8/8 49 41 8 0 M. Vunibaka (23) W. Serevi (297)

Commonwealth Games

Commonwealth Games record[7]
Year Round Position Pld W L D
1998 Gold Medal Match 2nd 7 6 1 0
2002 Gold Medal Match 2nd 6 4 2 0
2006 Bronze Medal Match 3rd 6 5 1 0
2010 Suspended[8]
2014 Ineligible[9]
2018 Gold Medal Match 2nd 5 4 1 0
2022 Gold Medal Match 2nd 6 5 0 0
Total 0 Titles 5/5 30 24 5 0


Commonwealth Games history
1998 1st Phase Fiji  54 – 7  Wales Win
1st Phase Fiji  71 – 0  Swaziland Win
2nd Phase Fiji  63 – 5  Malaysia Win
2nd Phase Fiji  71 – 0  Kenya Win
Quarter-finals Fiji  26 – 19  Canada Win
Semi-finals Fiji  28 – 14  Australia Win
Gold Medal Match Fiji  12 – 21  New Zealand Loss
2002 Pool stage Fiji  75 – 0  Trinidad and Tobago Win
Pool stage Fiji  73 – 0  Malaysia Win
Pool stage Fiji  12 – 19  Australia Loss
Quarter-finals Fiji  7 – 5  England Win
Semi-finals Fiji  17 – 7  South Africa Win
Gold Medal Match Fiji  15 – 33  New Zealand Loss
2006 Pool stage Fiji  31 – 14  Canada Win
Pool stage Fiji  63 – 0  Niue Win
Pool stage Fiji  33 – 7  Scotland Win
Quarter-finals Fiji  26 – 7  Wales Win
Semi-finals Fiji  14 – 21  England Loss
Bronze Medal Match Fiji  24 – 17  Australia Win
2010 Suspended
2014 Boycott
2018 Pool stage Fiji  63 – 5  Sri Lanka Win
Pool stage Fiji  54 – 0  Uganda Win
Pool stage Fiji  21 – 17  Wales Win
Semi-Finals Fiji  24 – 19  South Africa Win
Gold Medal Match Fiji  0 – 14  New Zealand Loss
2022 Pool Stage Fiji  52 – 0  Zambia Win
Pool Stage Fiji  19 – 12  Canada Win
Pool Stage Fiji  38 – 24  Wales Win
Quarter-finals Fiji  34 – 7  Scotland Win
Semi-Finals Fiji  19 (a.e.t.) – 14  New Zealand Win
Gold Medal Match Fiji  7 – 31  South Africa Loss

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 24–25) 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 28–29) 1 Unattached
Netava Koroisau Back 1996 (age 29–30) 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.

Most tries[13]
No. Player Tries
1 Jerry Tuwai 140
2 Waisea Nacuqu 131
3 Nasoni Rokobiau 125
4 Osea Kolinisau 122
5 Samisoni Viriviri 120
Most points
No. Player Points
1 Waisale Serevi 1,310
2 Osea Kolinisau 1,272
3 William Ryder 987
4 Vatemo Ravouvou 981
5 Nasoni Roko 857

Award winners

The following Fiji Sevens players have been recognised at the World Rugby Awards since 2004:[14][15][16]

World Rugby Men's 7s Player of the Year (2004–17)
Year Nominees Winners
2005 Neumi Nanuku —
2014 Samisoni Viriviri Samisoni Viriviri
2015 Semi Kunatani —
2016 Osea Kolinisau
2017 Jerry Tuwai
World Rugby Men's 7s Player of the Year (2018–25)
Year Nominees Winners
2018 Jerry Tuwai (2)
2019 Jerry Tuwai (3) Jerry Tuwai
2021 Napolioni Bolaca —
Jiuta Wainiqolo
2022 Kaminieli Rasaku

World Rugby Coach of the Year
Year Nominees Winners
2016 Ben Ryan —
World Rugby Men's 7s Dream Team
Year No. Player
2024 6. Ponepati Loganimasi
2025 5. Joji Nasova

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

References

  1. "Fiji beats New Zealand to clinch back-to-back Olympic titles". AP. 27 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" Archived 2018-10-27 at the Wayback Machine, Ultimate Rugby Sevens, Nick Jordan, 4 October 2014.
  13. World Rugby
  14. "Awards Roll of Honour - World Rugby". www.world.rugby.
  15. "Fijian Samisoni Viriviri voted IRB Sevens Player of the Year". www.insidethegames.biz. 11 May 2014.
  16. "Tuwai named World Rugby Men's 7s Player of the Year 2019". www.fijitimes.com. 4 November 2019.