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Full name | Ratu Meli Derenalagi | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Date of birth | 26 November 1998 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Place of birth | Nadi, Fiji | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 192 cm (6 ft 4 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 98 kg (216 lb; 15 st 6 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
School | Queen Victoria School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Ratu Meli Derenalagi (born 26 November 1998) is a forward in the Fiji national rugby sevens team. Derenalagi is well known for his offloading ability. [1] His uncles Semisi Naevo, Apenisa Naevo and father Ratu Vuniani Derenalagi have also played for Fiji in rugby sevens. [2] [3] Currently plays for the Fijian Drua in the Super Rugby Pacific and has also being named for the Flying Fijians team for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Attended Queen Victoria School in Fiji where played for their U-18 and won the prestigious Deans Trophy in 2016. Represented Fiji in the age-grade teams (U-18, U-20's) before being selected for the national 7's team and making his debut in 2018-2019 SVNS.
He won the rookie of the year in 2019. He captained the fiji 7s side to their first Sydney Sevens title in 2020 with a thrilling 12-10 win over South Africa in the final. [4]
He was selected to Fijian squad to compete at the 2020 Summer Olympics in the men's rugby sevens tournament. [5] He was also subsequently part of the Fijian side which claimed gold medal after defeating New Zealand 24-12 at the 2020 Summer Olympics. [6] [7]
Recruited by the Fijian Drua in their inaugural season 2022 in Super Rugby Pacific.
Ratu Meli Semisi Naevo Saukawa is a Fijian rugby union player. He plays as a flanker. His nickname is Man Mountain. His father, Joeli Lesavua, and two brothers, Apenisa and Manoa Naevo, are also Fiji reps.
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The Fijian Drua is a professional rugby union team based in Fiji that competes in the Super Rugby. The team was created by the Fiji Rugby Union and launched in August 2017, shortly before the 2017 National Rugby Championship. The team previously competed in the Australian National Rugby Championship competition between 2017 and 2019, when the tournament was disbanded.
Sevuloni Mocenacagi is a Fijian rugby player who plays as a forward or centre in the Fiji national rugby sevens team. According to Gareth Baber, the coach of the Fiji Sevens team: "Last year he [Mocenacagi] was a forward and this year we're using him in that centre position. He's a threat every time he gets the ball, he's a big powerful runner." Mocenacagi comes from Nukuilau, Navosa on the Island of Viti Levu.
Pamphinette "Pam" Buisa is a Canadian rugby union and sevens player. She has represented Canada at an international level. Buisa wears a size US 10.5 rugby boot.
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Napolioni Ratu Bolaca is a Fijian rugby sevens and rugby union player, who has played for the Fiji national rugby sevens team since 2019. At club level, he has played for Fijian Drua. Bolaca was the top point scorer in the 2019–20 World Rugby Sevens Series. He was part of the Fijian squad that won the rugby seven tournament at the delayed 2020 Summer Olympics.
Andrew Knewstubb is a New Zealand professional rugby union player who plays as a back for the New Zealand national sevens team.
Jiuta Naqoli Wainiqolo is a Fijian rugby union player who currently plays for Toulon in the Top 14 competition in France and for the Flying Fijians 15s and 7s teams. During the 2020 Summer Olympics, he was a member of Fiji's Men's Rugby 7s team, which won the gold medal.
Iosefo Masikau Baleiwairiki also known as either Iosefo Masikau or Iosefo Masi is a Fijian professional rugby union footballer who plays for the Fijian Drua in the Super Rugby. Known for repeatedly slicing his way through the opposition defensive line has earned him the nickname, the "Slice Man".
Selestino Ravutaumada is a Fijian rugby union player for the Drua. His preferred position is wing or fullback.
Ratu Leone Rotuisolia is a Fijian rugby union player, currently playing for the Drua. His preferred position is lock. Raised up in Cairns before making the move down to Sydney in 2017 who he later played for Sydney University.
Etonia Waqa is a Fijian rugby union player, who plays for the Drua in Super Rugby. His preferred position is lock.