Meli Derenalagi

Last updated

Meli Derenalagi
Full nameRatu Meli Derenalagi
Date of birth (1998-11-26) 26 November 1998 (age 25)
Place of birth Nadi, Fiji
Height192 cm (6 ft 4 in)
Weight98 kg (216 lb; 15 st 6 lb)
School Queen Victoria School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker
Current team Fijian Drua
Senior career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2022– Fijian Drua 9 (0)
Correct as of 10 August 2022
International career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2018 Fiji U20 4 (10)
Correct as of 10 February 2022
National sevens team(s)
YearsTeamComps
2018–2021 Fiji 17
Correct as of 10 February 2022
Medal record
Men's rugby sevens
Representing Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji
Summer Olympics
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2020 Tokyo Team competition

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.

Contents

Career

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.

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References

  1. ↑ "Derenalagi On Leadership" . Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  2. ↑ "Rugby Sevens DERENALAGI Meli". Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Archived from the original on 28 July 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  3. ↑ "Respect Is The Key To Derenalagi's Success Says Dad" . Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  4. ↑ "Sydney Sevens: Our Night" . Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  5. ↑ "Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games: Men's sevens squads". World Rugby . 6 July 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  6. ↑ "Rugby Sevens - New Zealand v Fiji - Gold Medal Match Results". Archived from the original on 28 July 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  7. ↑ "Fiji defeats New Zealand, clinches back-to-back gold medals in rugby 7s | NBC Olympics". www.nbcolympics.com. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
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