Fiji women's national rugby union team

Last updated
Fiji
NicknameFijiana
Union Fiji Rugby Union
Head coach Mosese Rauluni
Captain Sereima Leweniqila
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body fiji.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts.svg
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First colours
World Rugby ranking
Current17 (as of 28 October 2024)
Highest14 (2024)
Lowest32 (2007)
First international
Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji 15–27 Samoa  Flag of Samoa.svg
( Nukuʻalofa, Tonga; 14 April 2006)
Biggest win
Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji 152–0 Papua New Guinea  Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg
( Papakura, New Zealand; 9 July 2022)
Biggest defeat
Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji 19–84 England  Flag of England.svg
( Auckland, New Zealand; 8 October 2022)
World Cup
Appearances1 (2021)
Women's
World Rugby Rankings
Top 20 rankings as of 4 November 2024 [1]
RankChange*TeamPoints
1Steady2.svgFlag of England.svg  England 097.56
2Steady2.svgFlag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 089.31
3Steady2.svgFlag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 088.64
4Steady2.svgFlag of France.svg  France 085.11
5Steady2.svgFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 078.10
6Steady2.svgIRFU flag.svg  Ireland 078.03
7Steady2.svgFlag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 076.82
8Steady2.svgFlag of Italy.svg  Italy 074.75
9Steady2.svgFlag of the United States.svg  United States 074.20
10Steady2.svgFlag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 072.58
11Steady2.svgFlag of Japan.svg  Japan 066.41
12Steady2.svgFlag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 066.18
13Steady2.svgFlag of Spain.svg  Spain 065.42
14Steady2.svgFlag of Russia.svg  Russia 061.10
15Steady2.svgFlag of Samoa.svg  Samoa 060.56
16Steady2.svgFlag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 060.20
17Steady2.svgFlag of Fiji.svg  Fiji 059.14
18Steady2.svgFlag of Hong Kong.svg  Hong Kong 056.20
19Steady2.svgFlag of Kazakhstan.svg  Kazakhstan 055.23
20Steady2.svgFlag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 052.72
*Change from the previous week

The Fiji women's national rugby union team are a national sporting side of Fiji, representing them at rugby union. They played their first test against Samoa in 2006, and compete annually in the Oceania Rugby Women's Championship. In 2022, they created history when they scored the third-highest points in both Men's and Women's Rugby at the Oceania Championship when they trounced Papua New Guinea 152–0. They made their first Rugby World Cup appearance at the delayed tournament in New Zealand.

Contents

History

Fiji played their first match in 1997 against a visiting United States XV's team. They played their first international test match against Samoa in the one-off Women's Pacific Tri-Nations in 2006.

Ten years after the Women's Pacific Tri-Nations, the Oceania Rugby Women's Championship was established. The first tournament was held in 2016 between Fiji and Papua New Guinea at the ANZ National Stadium in Suva. [2] The tournament was also part of the 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup qualification process. [2] Fiji beat Papua New Guinea 37–10 to win the inaugural Oceania Championship and progress to the next stage of qualifications. [3]

Fiji met Hong Kong and Japan in a Repechage tournament, but lost both matches and did not qualify for the 2017 World Cup. [4] In 2018, Fijiana won the second edition of the Oceania Championship and successfully defended their title after winning all their matches. [5]

The 2019 Oceania Championship also served as a qualifier for the 2021 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. It was also the first time that the Oceania region was granted a spot at the World Cup. New Zealand and Australia had already qualified from the previous World Cup, Fijiana won the remaining spot and qualified for their first World Cup. [6] [7]

Fiji played two test matches against Australia and Japan in 2022 at Brisbane. [8] [9] It would be their first test match against the Wallaroos and only their second time to meet Japan. [10] Fiji won the 2022 Oceania Rugby Championship in New Zealand. [11] [12] [13] They created history when they scored the third-highest points in both Men's and Women's Rugby at the 2022 Oceania Championships as they trounced Papua New Guinea 152–0 in Papakura, New Zealand. [14] [15]

First World Cup

In 2022, Fijiana were overwhelmed in their first Rugby World Cup match by England who ran in 14 tries and recorded an 84–19 victory. [16] [17] They later achieved their first World Cup win when they defeated South Africa 21–17. [18] [19] Their win against the Springbok Women moved them up five places to their highest ranking of 16th from 21st. [20] [21] France kept Fiji scoreless in their last World Cup match with a score of 44–0. [22] [23]

Second World Cup

Fiji qualified for their second Rugby World Cup after winning the 2024 Oceania Rugby Women's Championship. [24] [25]

Records

Rugby World Cup

Rugby World Cup
YearRoundGPWDLPFPA
Fiji was not invited to any of the World Cups between 1991 and 2006
Flag of England.svg 2010 Did not qualify
Flag of France.svg 2014
IRFU flag.svg 2017
Flag of New Zealand.svg 2021 Pool stage310240149
Flag of England.svg 2025 Qualified
Flag of Australia (converted).svg 2029 TBD
Flag of the United States.svg 2033
Total1/9310240149
  Champion  Runner-up  Third place  Fourth place
* Tied placing† Best placingHome venue

Overall

(Full internationals only, updated to 20 May 2023)

Rugby: Fiji internationals from 2006
OpponentFirst gamePlayedWonDrawnLostWin %
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 202220020%
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 202210010%
Flag of England.svg  England 202210010%
Flag of France.svg  France 202210010%
Flag of Hong Kong.svg  Hong Kong 201620020%
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 201620020%
Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg  Papua New Guinea 20164400100%
Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa 2006740357.14%
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 20221100100%
Flag of Tonga.svg  Tonga 20064400100%
Summary2006251301252%

Players

Recent squad

Fijiana's 30-player squad for the 2024 WXV tournament in Dubai. [26]

Player Position Date of birth (age)CapsClub/province
Bitila Tawake Prop (1999-04-02)2 April 1999 (aged 25) Flag of New Zealand.svg Chiefs Manawa
Salanieta Nabuli Prop (2003-02-07)7 February 2003 (aged 21) Flag of Fiji.svg Fijian Drua
Loraini Senivutu Forward (2003-01-23)23 January 2003 (aged 21)uncapped Flag of Fiji.svg Fijian Drua
Tiana Robanakadavu Prop (2005-07-17)17 July 2005 (aged 19) Flag of Fiji.svg Fijian Drua
Penina Turova Forward uncapped
Merevesi Ofakimalino Forward (1994-03-30)30 March 1994 (aged 30) Flag of Fiji.svg Fijian Drua
Unaisi Lalabalavu Hooker (2004-03-01)1 March 2004 (aged 20) Flag of Fiji.svg Fijian Drua
Anasimeci Korovata Prop (1996-08-01)1 August 1996 (aged 28) Flag of Fiji.svg Fijian Drua
Doreen Narokete Lock (2002-04-04)4 April 2002 (aged 22) Flag of Australia (converted).svg Queensland Reds
Nunia Daunimoala Lock (1999-06-30)30 June 1999 (aged 25) Flag of Fiji.svg Fijian Drua
Sulita Waisega Back row (2004-03-16)16 March 2004 (aged 20) Flag of Fiji.svg Fijian Drua
Karalaini Naisewa Back row (1994-07-23)23 July 1994 (aged 30) Flag of Fiji.svg Fijian Drua
Sereima Leweniqila Forward (1990-05-05)5 May 1990 (aged 34) Flag of Fiji.svg Fijian Drua
Mereoni Nakesa Lock (2003-02-17)17 February 2003 (aged 21) Flag of Fiji.svg Fijian Drua
Teresia Tinanivalu Back row (1995-03-26)26 March 1995 (aged 29) Flag of Fiji.svg Fijian Drua
Evivi Senikarivi Scrum-half (2000-06-12)12 June 2000 (aged 24) Flag of Fiji.svg Fijian Drua
Salanieta Kinita Fly-half (2001-09-14)14 September 2001 (aged 23) Flag of Fiji.svg Fijian Drua
Vani Arei Centre (1999-04-14)14 April 1999 (aged 25) Flag of Fiji.svg Fijian Drua
Wainikiti Vosadrau Back
Adita Milinia Wing Flag of Fiji.svg Fijian Drua
Adi Fulori Rotagavira Back Flag of Fiji.svg Fijian Drua
Merewai Cumu Centre (1998-07-31)31 July 1998 (aged 26) Flag of Fiji.svg Fijian Drua
Rusila Nagasau Back (1987-08-04)4 August 1987 (aged 37)
Setaita Railumu Scrum-half Flag of Fiji.svg Fijian Drua
Jennifer Goodsir Ravutia Fly-half (1995-05-12)12 May 1995 (aged 29) Flag of Fiji.svg Fijian Drua
Merewairita Neivosa Centre Flag of Fiji.svg Fijian Drua
Atelaite Buna Fullback (2000-07-25)25 July 2000 (aged 24) Flag of Fiji.svg Fijian Drua
Luisa Tisolo Fullback (1991-09-20)20 September 1991 (aged 33) Flag of Fiji.svg Fijian Drua
Mary Kanace Back uncapped
Iva Sauira Wing (2001-08-30)30 August 2001 (aged 23)uncapped Flag of Fiji.svg Fijian Drua

Award winners

The following Fiji players have been recognised at the World Rugby Awards since 2001: [27]

Coaches

CoachYearsRefs
Seremaia Bai 2016 [28]
Senirusi Seruvakula 2020–2022 [29]
Inoke Male 2023 [30]
Mosese Rauluni 2024– [31]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "Women's World Rankings". World Rugby. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  2. 1 2 Ratulevu, Pate (2016-11-05). "Women's RWC qualification at Stake in Inaugural Oceania Championship". Official Website of Fiji Rugby Union. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
  3. ↑ "Fijiana Win Inaugural Oceania Women's Championship". 2016-11-10. Archived from the original on 2016-11-10. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
  4. ↑ "Japan and Hong Kong qualify for Women's World Cup". www.world.rugby. 2016-12-13. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
  5. ↑ "Fiji win Oceania Rugby Women's Championship title". 2021-11-29. Archived from the original on 2021-11-29. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
  6. ↑ "Fiji qualify for Rugby World Cup 2021". www.rugbyworldcup.com. 2019-11-30. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
  7. ↑ "Fijiana still in awe after qualifying for 2021 RWC". Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. 2019-12-05. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
  8. ↑ "Rooster Chicken to sponsor Fijiana 15s for two historic test matches while Seruvakula names four new overseas-based players". FijiTimes. 2022-04-29. Retrieved 2022-05-15.
  9. ↑ "Fiji hope to harness Super W momentum against Japan and Australia". www.rugbyworldcup.com. 2022-04-29. Retrieved 2022-05-15.
  10. ↑ "Everything you need to know about the Wallaroos Road to New Zealand tests". www.women.rugby. 2022-05-03. Retrieved 2022-07-09.
  11. ↑ "Fijiana win Oceania Rugby Womens Championship in a thriller". oceania.rugby. 2022-07-17. Retrieved 2022-07-18.
  12. ↑ Deo, Rohit (2022-07-18). "Fijiana 15s win Oceania tournament". FijiTimes. Retrieved 2022-07-18.
  13. ↑ Krishant, Naveel (2022-07-17). "Fijiana 15's win Oceania Rugby Women's Championship". www.fijivillage.com. Retrieved 2022-07-18.
  14. ↑ Tavi, Karalaini (2022-07-09). "Fijiana trounces PNG". Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
  15. ↑ Rahiman, Antonio (2022-07-09). "Fijiana thrash PNG in a record 152-0 win". www.fijivillage.com. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
  16. ↑ Calvert, Lee (2022-10-08). "14-try England overrun Fiji to make Women's Rugby World Cup statement". the Guardian. Retrieved 2022-10-16.
  17. ↑ "Favourites England hand Fiji 14-try mauling at World Cup". Reuters. 2022-10-08. Retrieved 2022-10-16.
  18. ↑ "Fiji strike late to snatch first World Cup victory". Reuters. 2022-10-16. Retrieved 2022-10-16.
  19. ↑ "Thrill-a-minute Fijiana record first-ever Rugby World Cup win". www.women.rugby. 2022-10-16. Retrieved 2022-10-16.
  20. ↑ Rasekaseka, Marika (2022-10-17). "Fijiana moved to 16th place in World Rugby ranking by beating South Africa". www.fijivillage.com. Retrieved 2022-10-16.
  21. ↑ Rakautoga, Venina (2022-10-17). "Fijiana moves up in ranking". Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2022-10-16.
  22. ↑ Curuqara, Paulini (2022-10-24). "France in quarter-finals". FijiTimes. Retrieved 2022-10-27.
  23. ↑ Baleilevuka, Rusiate (2022-10-22). "Fijiana go down to France 44-0 in their last WRWC match". www.fijivillage.com. Retrieved 2022-10-27.
  24. ↑ "Fijiana XV Secures Direct Qualification to Women's Rugby World Cup 2025". oceania.rugby. 2 June 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  25. ↑ "History-making Fiji and Hong Kong China move up World Rugby Women's Rankings". www.world.rugby. 3 June 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  26. ↑ Perkins, Bruce (2024-09-23). "All 18 squads for the 2024 WXV". 4 The Love Of Sport. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  27. ↑ "Awards Roll of Honour - World Rugby". www.world.rugby. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  28. ↑ "Bai ready to lead Fijiana fifteens". The Fiji Times. 2016-10-20. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
  29. ↑ "Official Website of Fiji Rugby Union » Senirusi Seruvakula appointed as Fijiana XVs Head Coach". www.fijirugby.com. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
  30. ↑ Sakiasi, Alifereti; Naivalurua, Navitalai (2023-02-24). "Inoke Male appointed Fijiana Drua and Fijiana 15's coach". www.fijivillage.com. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
  31. ↑ Daucakacaka, Jale (2024-01-11). "Rauluni named as Drua Women and Fijiana XV coach". Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
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