Related Research Articles
The Namibia national rugby union team represents Namibia in men's international rugby union competitions nicknamed the Welwitschias, are a tier-two nation in the World Rugby tier system, and have participated in the six Rugby World Cup competitions since their first appearance in 1999. They are governed by the Namibia Rugby Union.
The Papua New Guinea national rugby league team represents Papua New Guinea in the sport of rugby league football.
The Fiji national rugby union team represents Fiji in men's international rugby union competes every four years at the Rugby World Cup, and their best performances were the 1987 and 2007 tournaments when they defeated Argentina and Wales respectively to reach the quarterfinals. Fiji also regularly plays test matches during the June and November test windows. Fiji also plays in the Pacific Tri-Nations, and has won the most Pacific Tri-Nations Championships of the three participating teams.
The Tonga national rugby union team represents Tonga in men's international rugby union. The team is nicknamed ʻIkale Tahi . Like their Polynesian neighbours, the Tongans start their matches with a traditional piece of performance art – the Sipi Tau. They are members of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance (PIRA) along with Fiji and Samoa. The Ikale Tahi achieved a historic 19–14 victory over France in the 2011 Rugby World Cup, but having lost to New Zealand and Canada, were unable to achieve what would have been their first-ever presence at the quarter-finals.
The Fiji national rugby league team, nicknamed the Bati, has been participating in international rugby league football since 1992. The team is controlled by the governing body for rugby league in Fiji, Fiji National Rugby League (FNRL), which is currently a member of the Asia-Pacific Rugby League Confederation (APRLC). Fiji have thrice reached the semi-finals of the Rugby League World Cup, in 2008, 2013 and 2017, and are currently ranked 6th in the International Rugby League's World Rankings. They are coached by Fijian Joe Dakuitoga, who was appointed in August 2020, and their captain is Kevin Naiqama.
Nigel Faletoese Vagana, also known by the nicknames of "Pablo", and "Chiko", is a former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s and 2000s, as a wing, centre and five-eighth. A New Zealand and Samoa international representative, he retired as the Kiwis' all-time top try-scorer with 19. Vagana played club football in New Zealand for the Warriors, in England for Warrington, and in Australia for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Vagana represented the New Zealand national team 32 times between 1998 and 2006, including playing in the 2000 World Cup. He is also the cousin of Bradford Bulls prop-forward Joe Vagana, and former Silver Ferns netball player Linda Vagana.
Petero Civoniceva, is a Fijian-Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s. A Queensland State of Origin and Australian international representative prop forward, in 2009 he broke the record for most international matches for Australia of any forward in history. Civoniceva played his club football for the Brisbane Broncos, with whom he won the 1998, 2000 and 2006 NRL Premierships, as well as for the Penrith Panthers, whom he captained. Late in his career whilst playing for the Redcliffe Dolphins in the Queensland Cup, Civoniceva captained the Fiji national team in their 2013 Rugby League World Cup campaign. The Petero Civoniceva Medal is awarded to the Australian Fijian rugby league footballer of the year, while the Civoniceva Medal is awarded to the Queensland Cup player voted as the best and fairest.
Semi Tadulala is a Fijian former professional rugby league footballer who played as a winger for Australian Queensland Cup club Northern Pride. A Fiji international representative at rugby league and rugby union, he previously played in the National Rugby League for Australia's Melbourne Storm club, in the Super League for England's the Bradford Bulls and the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, and in the Co-operative Championship for the Keighley Cougars. He has also played for Gloucester Rugby and Leeds Carnegie at rugby union.
Lote Daulako Tuqiri is a former professional dual-code rugby footballer who primarily played as a winger across both codes. He represented Australia in both rugby league and rugby union, and Fiji in rugby league. Tuqiri first rose to prominence as a professional rugby league footballer for the Brisbane Broncos and Queensland Maroons, as well as the Fiji and Australia national sides. He was therefore a high-profile signing for rugby union in 2002, winning 67 caps for Australia and being a part of their 2003 and 2007 World Cup squads. He played rugby union for the Waratahs in the Super 14 and Leicester Tigers in England in season 2009–10. Tuqiri's contract with the Australian Rugby Union was terminated on 1 July 2009. No immediate reason was given, and Tuqiri returned to rugby league in 2010, playing for the Wests Tigers of the NRL. In September 2013, he signed a short-term contract with Irish rugby union giants, Leinster to play in the Pro12 in a three-month deal. Just 6 weeks out from the 2014 NRL season, Tuqiri signed with his third NRL club, the South Sydney Rabbitohs, on a one-year deal.
Daryl Millard is a Fiji international rugby league footballer who last played for the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the NRL. He previously played for the Catalans Dragons, Canterbury-Bankstown and St George Illawarra.
Josaia Rabele "Joe" Dakuitoga, also known as Jo Rabele, is a Fijian professional rugby league coach who is the head coach of the Fijian national team, and a former professional rugby league footballer.
James Storer is a Fiji international rugby league footballer who last played for the Port Kembla Blacks in the Group 7 Rugby League competition. He represented Fiji in three Rugby League World Cups.
Ryan Millard is an Australian-born Fijian rugby league footballer who plays for the Wests Magpies in the New South Wales Cup. He plays as a five-eighth or fullback, and can also play as a centre or on the wing. He is a Fijia international.
Frédéric "Freddie" Banquet is a French former professional rugby league and rugby union footballer who played in the 1990s and 2000s. He played representative level rugby league (RL) for France at the 1995 Rugby League World Cup and 2000 Rugby League World Cup, and at club level in France and England.
Niumaia Korovata, also known by the nickname of "Horse", is a Fijian former dual-code international rugby union and rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s and 2000s. He played representative rugby union (RU) for Fiji and representative rugby league (RL) for Fiji, as a wing, centre or lock, including at the 1995 Rugby League World Cup. Niumaia Korovata now is retired from playing and is living with his wife and 4 children. Anna, Ruth, Grace and only son Niumaia jnr.
Marika Koroibete is a dual-code international rugby league and rugby union footballer. He has been capped for Australia's national rugby union team, and plays as a winger for the Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby.
Taqele Naiyaravoro is an Australian professional rugby union and rugby league footballer. His regular playing position is the wing.
Mason Lino is a Samoan professional rugby league footballer who plays as a scrum-half and stand-off for Wakefield Trinity in the Betfred Super League and Samoa at the international level.
Suliasi Vunivalu is a professional rugby union footballer who plays for the Queensland Reds in the Super Rugby. His regular playing position is Wing.
Kaiava Salusalu, written also as Kaiyava Salusalu is a Fijian former rugby union and rugby league footballer who played as a centre.
References
- 1 2 Kaleveti Naisoro rugbyleagueproject.org
- ↑ Kalaveti Naisoro scrum.com
- ↑ Kalaveti Naisoro Archived 2012-10-19 at the Wayback Machine fijirugby.com
- ↑ "Kalaveti Naisoro". ESPN. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
- ↑ Fijian Season to commence today rleague.com, 3 May 2003
- ↑ Akuila Cama (17 October 2019). "22 years since Bati last played in World 9s". FBC News. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
- ↑ Fiji Bati squad announced rleague.com, 16 September 2002