Fiji at the Rugby World Cup

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Map of nations best results, excluding nations which unsuccessfully participated in qualifying tournaments. Rugby world cup countries best results and hosts rev1.png
Map of nations best results, excluding nations which unsuccessfully participated in qualifying tournaments.

The Fiji national rugby union team has played in all Rugby World Cup tournaments, except in 1995, when they did not qualify. Their best performances have seen them become quarterfinalists in 1987, the 2007 and 2023.

Contents

NationNumber of appearancesFirst appearanceMost recent appearanceStreakBest result
Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji 9198720237Quarter finals 1987, 2007, 2023

By position

Rugby World Cup Qualification
YearRoundPldWDLPFPASquadPosPldWDLPFPA
Flag of New Zealand.svg Flag of Australia (converted).svg 1987 Quarter-finals410372132 Squad Invited
Flag of England.svg Flag of France.svg IRFU flag.svg Flag of Scotland.svg Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg 1991 Pool Stage30032763 Squad Automatically qualified
Flag of South Africa.svg 1995 Did not qualify2nd21012634
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg 1999 Quarter-final play-offs4202148113 Squad 2nd5401151116
Flag of Australia (converted).svg 2003 Pool Stage420298114 Squad 1st430112380
Flag of France.svg 2007 Quarter-finals5302134173 Squad 2nd43017483
Flag of New Zealand.svg 2011 Pool Stage410359167 Squad Automatically qualified
Flag of England.svg 2015 Pool Stage410384101 Squad 1st11001086
Flag of Japan.svg 2019 Pool Stage4103110108 Squad 1st440010160
Flag of France.svg 2023 Quarter-finals5203112113 Squad Automatically qualified
TotalQuarter-finals37130248441084201604583379
 Champions    Runners-up    Third place    Fourth placeHome venue

By match

1987 Rugby World Cup

Pool 3 games –

TeamPldWDLPFPAPDTPtsQualification
Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 330019034+156306 Knockout stage
Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji 3102561014562 [lower-alpha 1]
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 3102401107052 [lower-alpha 1]
Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 310249904142 [lower-alpha 1]
Source: [ citation needed ]
Notes:
  1. 1 2 3 Fiji qualified for the highest number of tries (Fiji 6, Italy 5, Argentina 4)
24 May 1987
Argentina  Flag of Argentina.svg9–28Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji
Try: Penalty try
Con: Porta
Pen: Porta
Try: Gale
Naivilawasa
Nalaga
Savai
Con: Koroduadua (2)
Rokowailoa
Pen: Koroduadua (2)
Rugby Park, Hamilton
Attendance: 13,000
Referee: Jim Fleming (Scotland)

27 May 1987
New Zealand  Flag of New Zealand.svg74–13Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji
Try: Gallagher (4)
Green (4)
Kirk
Kirwan
Penalty try
Whetton
Con: Fox (10)
Pen: Fox (2)
Try: Cama
Pen: Koroduadua (3)
Lancaster Park, Christchurch
Attendance: 25,000
Referee: Derek Bevan (Wales)

31 May 1987
Fiji  Flag of Fiji.svg15–18Flag of Italy.svg  Italy
Try: Naivilawasa
Con: Koroduadua
Pen: Koroduadua (2)
Drop: Qoro
Try: Cuttitta
Cucchiella
Mascioletti
Pen: Collodo
Drop: Collodo
Carisbrook, Dunedin
Attendance: 13,000
Referee: Keith Lawrence (New Zealand)

Quarter final

7 June 1987
Fiji  Flag of Fiji.svg16–31Flag of France.svg  France
Tries: Qoro
Damu
Con: Koroduadua
Pen: Koroduadua (2)
Tries: Rodriguez (2)
Lorieux
Lagisquet
Con: Laporte (3)
Pen: Laporte (2)
Drop: Laporte
Eden Park, Auckland
Referee: Clive Norling Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg


1991 Rugby World Cup

Pool 4 games –

TeamPldWDLPFPAPDPts
Flag of France.svg  France 33008225+576
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 32014533+124
Flag of Romania.svg  Romania 31023164332
Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji 30032763360
Source: [ citation needed ]
5 October 1991
Canada  Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg13–3Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji
Tries: Stewart
Pen: Rees (3)
Drop: Serevi
Stade Jean Dauger, Bayonne
Referee: Kerry Fitzgerald Flag of Australia (converted).svg

8 October 1991
France  Flag of France.svg33–9Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji
Tries: Lafond (3), Sella (2), Camberabero
Con: Camberabero (3)
Pen: Camberabero
Tries: Naruma
Con: Koroduadua
Pen: Koroduadua
Stade Lesdiguières, Grenoble
Referee: Derek Bevan Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg

12 October 1991
Fiji  Flag of Fiji.svg15–17Flag of Romania.svg  Romania
Pen: Turuva (2)
Drop: Rabaka (2), Turuva
Tries: Ion, Dumitras, Sasu
Con: Răcean
Pen: Nichitean
Parc Municipal des Sports, Brive
Referee: Owen Doyle Flag of Ireland.svg


1999 Rugby World Cup

Pool 3 games –

TeamPldWDLPFPAPDPts
Flag of France.svg  France 330010852+569
Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji 320112468+567
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 310211482+325
Flag of Namibia.svg  Namibia 3003421861443
Source: [ citation needed ]
1 October 1999
21:00 CEST/GMT+2 (UTC+02)
Fiji  Flag of Fiji.svg67–18Flag of Namibia.svg  Namibia
Try: Lasagavibau (2)
S. Tawake
Rauluni
Satala
Mocelutu
Smith
Tiko
Katalau
Con: Serevi (8)
Pen: Serevi (2)
Try: Jacobs
Senekal
Con: Van Dyk
Pen: Van Dyk (2)
Stade de la Méditerranée, Béziers
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: David McHugh (Ireland)

9 October 1999
13:30 CEST/GMT+2 (UTC+02)
Fiji  Flag of Fiji.svg38–22Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
Try: Satala (2)
Vunibaka
Lasagavibau
Con: Little (3)
Pen: Little (3)
Drop: Little
Try: James
Con: Rees
Pen: Rees (4)
Drop: Rees
Parc Lescure, Bordeaux
Attendance: 27,000
Referee: Ed Morrison (England)

16 October 1999
14:00 CEST/GMT+2 (UTC+02)
France  Flag of France.svg28–19Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji
Try: Juillet
Dominici
Penalty try
Con: Dourthe (2)
Pen: Dourthe (2)
Lamaison
Try: Uluinayau
Con: Little
Pen: Little (4)
Stade de Toulouse
Attendance: 36,000
Referee: Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand)

Quarter-final play-offs –

20 October 1999
13:00 WEST/GMT+1 (UTC+01)
England  Flag of England.svg45–24Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji
Try: Luger
Back
Beal
Greening
Con: Dawson
Wilkinson
Pen: Wilkinson (7)
Report Try: Satala
Nakauta
Tiko
Con: Little (3)
Pen: Serevi
Twickenham, London
Attendance: 55,000
Referee: Clayton Thomas (Wales)


2003 Rugby World Cup

Group B games –

TeamPldWDLPFPAPDBPPtsQualification
Flag of France (lighter variant).svg  France 440020470+134420 Quarter-finals
Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 430110297+5214
Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji 42029811416210
Flag of the United States.svg  United States 4103861253926
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 4004791638400
Source: [ citation needed ]
11 October 2003
France  Flag of France.svg61–18Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji
Tries: Dominici (2), Harinordoquy, Jauzion (3), Ibañez
Con: Michalak (4)
Pen: Michalak (6)
Tries: Naevo, Caucaunibuca
Con: Little
Pen: Little (2)
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Attendance: 46,795
Referee: Alain Rolland Flag of Ireland.svg

15 October 2003
Fiji  Flag of Fiji.svg19–18Flag of the United States.svg  United States
Tries: Naevo
Con: Little
Pen: Little (4)
Tries: van Zyl, Schubert
Con: Hercus
Pen: Hercus (2)
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Attendance: 30,990
Referee: Joël Jutge Flag of France.svg

23 October 2003
Fiji  Flag of Fiji.svg41–13Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
Tries: Tuilevu (2), Ligairi (2), Vunibaka
Con: Little (2)
Pen: Little (4)
Tries: Miller
Con: Miller
Pen: Miller
Drop: Miller
Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville
Attendance: 17,269
Referee: Nigel Whitehouse Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg

1 November 2003
Scotland  Flag of Scotland.svg22–20Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji
Tries: Smith
Con: Paterson
Pen: Paterson (5)
Tries: Caucaunibuca (2)
Con: Little (2)
Pen: Little (2)
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 37,137
Referee: Tony Spreadbury Flag of England.svg


2007 Rugby World Cup

Fiji were placed in Pool B of the 2007 Rugby World Cup along with Wales, Canada, Japan and Australia. After beating Japan and Canada in close matches, Fiji rested several key players against Australia for the crucial game against Wales. Australia defeated Fiji 55–12. Fiji's fate in the tournament came down to a "winner advances" game against Wales which Fiji won 38–34 and qualified for the quarter-finals for the second time. Former Wallaby great Michael Lynagh described the see-sawing match as one of the best matches "of all time". Fiji lost their quarter final match against South Africa, however their above expectations performance in the tournament resulted in them moving up to 9th in the world rankings – their highest ever position.

Group stage
PosTeamPldWDLPFPAPDBPtsQualification
1Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 440021541+174420Qualified for the quarter-finals
2Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji 430111413622315
3Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 4202168105+63412Eliminated, automatic qualification for RWC 2011
4Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 40136421014613
5Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 4013511206902
Source: [ citation needed ]
12 September 2007
18:00
Japan  Flag of Japan.svg31–35Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji
Tries: Thompson (2) 51' c, 78' c
Soma 62' m
Con: Onishi (2/3)
Pen: Onishi (4/4) 18', 30', 40+', 43'
Report Tries: Qera (2) 36' c, 49' c
Rabeni 56' m
Leawere 71' c
Con: Little (3/4)
Pen: Little (3/3) 4', 55', 74'
Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse
Attendance: 34,500
Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
16 September 2007
14:00
Fiji  Flag of Fiji.svg29–16Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
Tries: Leawere 22' c
Ratuvou (2) 28' m, 80+' c
Delasau 42' c
Con: Little (3/4)
Pen: Little (1/3) 8'
Report Tries: Smith 60' c
Con: Pritchard (1/1)
Pen: Pritchard (3/4) 4', 27', 74'
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Attendance: 45,000
Referee: Tony Spreadbury (England)
23 September 2007
14:30
Australia  Flag of Australia (converted).svg55–12Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji
Tries: Giteau (2) 17' c, 36' m
Mitchell (3) 31' c, 70' c, 79' m
Ashley-Cooper 57' c
Hoiles 74' m
Con: Giteau (4/6)
Pen: Giteau (3/3) 28', 42', 50'
Drop: Barnes (1/1) 44'
Report Tries: Neivua 40+' m
Ratuva 47' c
Con: Bai (1/1)
Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier
Attendance: 32,231
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
29 September 2007
17:00
Wales  Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg34–38Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji
Try: Popham 34' c
S. Williams 45' c
G. Thomas 48' m
M. Jones 51' c
M. Williams 73' m
Con: Hook (1/1)
S. Jones (2/4)
Pen: S. Jones (1/2) 5'
Report Tries: Qera 16' c
Delasau 19' m
Leawere 25' c
Dewes 77' c
Con: Little (3/4)
Pen: Little (4/5) 21', 24', 54', 60'
Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes
Attendance: 37,080
Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)

Quarter finals
7 October 2007
15:00
South Africa  Flag of South Africa.svg37–20Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji
Tries: Fourie 13' m
Smit 35' m
Pietersen 51' c
Smith 70' c
James 80' c
Con: Montgomery (3/5)
Pen: Steyn (1/1) 8'
Montgomery (1/2) 63'
Report Tries: Delasau 57' c
Bobo 59' c
Con: Bai (2/2)
Pen: Bai (2/2) 26', 44'
Stade Vélodrome, Marseille
Attendance: 55,943
Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland)

2011 Rugby World Cup

PosTeamPldWDLPFPAPDTBPtsQualification
1Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 440016624+14221218Advanced to the quarter-finals and
qualified for the 2015 Rugby World Cup
2Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 430118034+14623315
3Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa 42029149+429210Eliminated but qualified for 2015 Rugby World Cup
4Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji 410359167108715
5Flag of Namibia.svg  Namibia 400444266222500
Source: [ citation needed ]
10 September 2011 Fiji  Flag of Fiji.svg 49–25 Flag of Namibia.svg  Namibia International Stadium, Rotorua
17 September 2011 South Africa  Flag of South Africa.svg 49–3 Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji Regional Stadium, Wellington
25 September 2011 Fiji  Flag of Fiji.svg 7–27 Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa Eden Park, Auckland
2 October 2011 Wales  Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg 66–0 Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji Waikato Stadium, Hamilton


2015 Rugby World Cup

PosTeamPldWDLPFPAPDTBPtsQualification
1Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 440014135+10617117Advanced to the quarter-finals and
qualified for the 2019 Rugby World Cup
2Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 430111162+4911113
3Flag of England.svg  England 420213375+5816311Eliminated but qualified for 2019 Rugby World Cup
4Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji 410384101171015
5Flag of Uruguay.svg  Uruguay 400430226196200
Source: [ citation needed ]
18 September 2015 England  Flag of England.svg 35–11 Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji Twickenham Stadium, London
23 September 2015 Australia  Flag of Australia (converted).svg 28–13 Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
1 October 2015 Wales  Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg 23–13 Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
6 October 2015 Fiji  Flag of Fiji.svg 47–15 Flag of Uruguay.svg  Uruguay Stadium mk, Milton Keynes


2019 Rugby World Cup

PosTeamPldWDLPFPAPDTBPtsQualification
1Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 440013669+6717319Advanced to the quarter-finals and
qualified for the 2023 Rugby World Cup
2Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 430113668+6820416
3Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji 4103110108+21737Eliminated but qualified for 2023 Rugby World Cup
4Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia 41036512257915
5Flag of Uruguay.svg  Uruguay 41036014080604
Source: [ citation needed ]
21 September 2019
13:45 JST (UTC+09)
(1 BP) Australia  Flag of Australia (converted).svg39–21Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji
Try: Hooper 18' c
Hodge 36' m
Latu (2) 57' m, 62' m
Kerevi 69' c
Koroibete 73' c
Con: Lealiifano (1/2) 19'
To'omua (2/3) 70', 74'
Pen: Hodge (1/1) 51'
Report Try: Yato 9' m
Nayacalevu 44' c
Con: Volavola (1/2) 46'
Pen: Volavola (3/3) 5', 23', 31'
Sapporo Dome, Sapporo
Attendance: 36,482
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)
25 September 2019
14:15 JST (UTC+09)
(2 BP) Fiji  Flag of Fiji.svg27–30Flag of Uruguay.svg  Uruguay
Try: Dolokoto 8' m
Mawi 19' c
Ratuniyarawa 48' m
Matawalu (2) 67' m, 80+1' m
Con: J. Matavesi (1/3) 20'
Report Try: Arata 14' c
Diana 22' c
Cat 26' c
Con: Berchesi (3/3) 15', 23', 28'
Pen: Berchesi (3/4) 38', 61', 76'
Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium, Kamaishi
Attendance: 14,025
Referee: Pascal Gaüzère (France)
3 October 2019
14:15 JST (UTC+09)
Georgia  Flag of Georgia.svg10–45Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji (1 BP)
Try: Gorgodze 53' c
Con: Matiashvili (1/1) 55'
Pen: Matiashvili (1/2) 35'
Report Try: Nayacalevu 20' c
Lomani 45' m
Tuisova 50' m
Radradra (2) 61' c, 76' c
Kunatani 68' c
Ratuniyarawa 70' c
Con: Volavola (5/7) 21', 63', 70', 72', 77'
Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Higashiōsaka
Attendance: 21,069
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
9 October 2019
18:45 JST (UTC+09)
(1 BP) Wales  Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg29–17Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji
Try: Adams (3) 18' c, 31' c, 61' m
L. Williams 69' c
Con: Biggar (2/2) 20', 32'
Patchell (1/2) 70'
Pen: Patchell (1/1) 58'
Report Try: Tuisova 4' m
Murimurivalu 9' m
Penalty try 54'
Oita Stadium, Ōita
Attendance: 33,379
Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)

Hosting

So far Fiji has not hosted any World Cup games, and has not put in bids for future tournaments. Due to the lack of facilities, and the small size of the island nation, but hopefully it will host it in the near future.

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References