The Fiji National Rugby Sevens Team has competed in the World Rugby Sevens Series, Rugby World Cup Sevens and the

Olympics The modern Olympic Games or Olympics (french: link=no, Jeux olympiques) are the leading international sporting events featuring summer and winter sports competitions in which thousands of athletes from around the world participate in a var ...

. Fiji won the gold medal in the inaugural rugby sevens at the Summer Olympics in

2016 File:2016 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: Bombed-out buildings in Ankara following the 2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt; the impeachment trial of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff; Damaged houses during the 2016 Nagorno-Karabakh ...

in Brazil, the country's first Olympic medal in any event, and repeated as

Olympic champions This article includes lists of all Olympic medalists since 1896, organized by each Olympic sport or discipline, and also by Olympiad. Medalist with most medals by sport Summer Olympic sports Winter Olympic sports A. Including military patrol ...

in the

2020 Summer Olympics The , officially the and also known as , was an international multi-sport event held from 23 July to 8 August 2021 in Tokyo, Japan, with some preliminary events that began on 21 July. Tokyo was selected as the host city during the ...

in Tokyo, defeating New Zealand. Thus Fiji is the sole nation to have won Olympic gold in the sport. They are the only country in the world to have won the Sevens Treble (the Olympics, Sevens Series, and World Cup), the three major achievements in Sevens. They have won multiple World Rugby Sevens Series and Rugby World Cup Sevens. Fiji Sevens is watched and enjoyed by fans around the world for its style of play — the "Flying Fijians" play with Fijian flair. Their passing and offloads can be unorthodox for traditional rugby coaching, and more similar to basketball style.

History

The International Rugby Board (IRB) expanded the sevens rugby competition to become a series of 11 tournaments around the world. The debt the FRU incurred from the 2000 sevens series was significant. At the end of December 2000, the FRU was burdened with accumulated losses of F$933,306. Fiji appealed to the IRB for funding, arguing that the sevens tournament was built around Fiji and they would not be able to participate without such funding. From that appeal flowed participation funds that enabled the islands teams to play in the World Sevens Series fully funded. By the end of November 2001, the FRU was sitting on a surplus of F$560,311 compared with the previous year's net loss of F$675,609. The FRU again ran out of money in 2013 to support the national sevens team. The IRB had temporarily suspended funding due to concerns with FRU financial management and governance. The head coach went unpaid for months, another staff was terminated, and the team lacked funds for basic supplies such as rugby balls and bottled water. Waisale Serevi is highly regarded as the best player ever in sevens rugby. Nicknamed the "maestro", played in this side from 1989 to 2006 leading them to countless tournament victories, two Sevens World Cups in 1997 and 2005.

World Rugby Sevens Series

Fiji has won the World Rugby Sevens Series four times — first in 2005-06, and most recently in 2018-19. Fiji is one of only two teams — along with New Zealand — to finish in the top four of the World Series every season since its inception.

Quadrennial tournaments

Summer Olympics

Fiji Rugby Team at the 2020 Olympics (cropped)

Rugby World Cup Sevens

Commonwealth Games

Tournament Victories

* World Sevens Series Winners (2005–06, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2018-19) *

Summer Olympics The Summer Olympic Games (french: link=no, Jeux olympiques d'été), also known as the Games of the Olympiad, and often referred to as the Summer Olympics, is a major international multi-sport event normally held once every four years. The inau ...

Gold (2016, 2020) * Rugby World Cup Sevens Champions (1997, 2005) * Commonwealth Games: Silver (1998, 2002, 2018); Bronze (2006) * Hong Kong Sevens Winners (1977, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2005, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019) * World Games Gold (2001, 2005, 2009) * Pacific Games Gold (1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2015, 2019) *

Darwin Hottest Sevens The Darwin Hottest Sevens, known as the Hottest 7s in the World or the Hottest 7s, is a rugby sevens tournament held annually in Darwin, Australia on a weekend in early October. The event is sponsored by Heineken and is hosted by the Northern ...

Winner (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008) *

Oceania Sevens The Oceania Rugby Men's Sevens Championship is an international rugby sevens competition organised by Oceania Rugby. It has been held regularly since 2008 to select the best men's national team in Oceania. Participating teams Men's teams competi ...

Winners (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021) * Gala Sevens Winner (1991) *

Australia Sevens The Australia Sevens is an international rugby sevens tournament that was first played in 1986. Currently hosted as the Sydney Sevens, the event is part of the World Rugby Sevens Series. The tournament was held in Brisbane, in Adelaide, and o ...

Winners (2000, 2007, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2020) * USA Sevens Winners (2007, 2015, 2016) * Singapore Sevens Winners (2006, 2018) *

Scotland Sevens The Scotland Sevens was a rugby sevens tournament that was part of the Sevens World Series. In the 2014-15 season it was the penultimate event of the Sevens World Series circuit. It was first held in 2007 but has been removed from the series ...

Winners (2009, 2015) * Mar de Plata Winners (2000, 2002) *

New Zealand Sevens The New Zealand national rugby sevens team competes in the World Rugby Sevens Series, Rugby World Cup Sevens, Summer Olympic Games and the Commonwealth Games. They have won a record twelve World Rugby Sevens Series titles. The team has been o ...

Winners (2000, 2006, 2010, 2018, 2019) *

South Africa Sevens The South Africa Sevens is an annual rugby sevens tournament that is held in South Africa. It is currently hosted in Cape Town and is part of the Sevens World Series run by World Rugby. A South African leg of the World series has been include ...

Winners (1999, 2002, 2005, 2018) * London Sevens Winners (2006, 2012, 2018, 2019) * Dubai Sevens Winners (2013, 2015) *

Japan Sevens The Japan Sevens, also known as the Tokyo Sevens, is an annual rugby sevens tournament held at the Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium in Tokyo, Japan. It was a part of the Sevens World Series from 2000 to 2001 and from 2012 to 2015. History The fi ...

Winners (1995–97, 2000, 2014)

Players

Current squad

Fiji team for the

2020 Tokyo Olympics The , officially the and also known as , was an international multi-sport event held from 23 July to 8 August 2021 in Tokyo, Japan, with some preliminary events that began on 21 July. Tokyo was selected as the host city during the 1 ...

Kalione Nasoko Kalione Nasoko (born 2 December 1990) is the current captain of the Fiji national rugby sevens team to the 2018 Oceania Sevens Championship and the 2018 Dubai Sevens. Nasoko was awarded player of the final at the 2017 Hong Kong Sevens Tourna ...

Josua Vakurunabili Josua Vakurunabili (born 10 June 1992) is a Fijian rugby union player. Biography Vakurunabili is from Vatukarasa Village in the Nadroga Navosa Province. He made his senior international debut at the London Sevens in 2017. He was named in the Dr ...

Meli Derenalagi 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. His uncles Semisi Naevo, Apenisa Naevo and father Ratu Vuniani Derenalagi have also played f ...

Iosefo Masi Iosefo Masikau Baleiwairiki also known as either Iosefo Masikau or Iosefo Masi (born 9 May 1998) 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 op ...

Asaeli Tuivuaka Asaeli Tuivuaka (born 22 December 1995) is a Fijian rugby union player. His usual position is wing or Centre. He currently plays for French Top14 team Racing 92. Personal life His uncle Setefano Cakau captained Fiji in rugby sevens. His brothe ...

# Semi Radradra # Vilimoni Botitu # Waisea Nacuqu #

Napolioni Bolaca Napolioni Ratu Bolaca (born 20 November 1996) 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 plays for Fijian Drua. Bolaca was the top point scorer in the 20 ...

Jiuta Wainiqolo Jiuta Naqoli Wainiqolo (born 10 March 1999) is a Fijians, Fijian rugby union player who currently plays for RC Toulonnais, Toulon in the Top 14, Top 14 competition in France and for the Fiji Rugby Union, Flying Fijians 15s and 7s teams. During th ...

# Aminiasi Tuimaba #

Jerry Tuwai Seremaia Tuwai Vunisa (born 23 March 1989), also known as Jerry Tuwai, is a Fiji rugby union player who plays for the Fiji national rugby sevens team. Tuwai made his debut for at the 2014 Gold Coast Sevens. He was part of the Fiji Sevens team th ...

(c)

Former squads

Player records

The following section lists player records from the World Rugby Sevens Series. Players in bold are still active. Most points: (''updated September 2018'')WorldRugby.org # Waisale Serevi (1,310) # Osea Kolinisau (1,272) # William Ryder (987) #

Vatemo Ravouvou Vatemo Ravouvou (born 31 July 1990) is a Fiji rugby union player. He is currently playing for the Fiji sevens team. In August 2016, he signed for Western Sydney Rams to play in the 2016 National Rugby Championship. On April 27, 2018, it was a ...

(981) # Nasoni Roko (857)

Former players

In addition to the players listed above, other notable players include: * Manasa Bari * Sireli Bobo *

Vilimoni Delasau Vilimoni Waqatabu Delasau (born 12 July 1977 in Sorokaba, Ba) is a Fijian former rugby union footballer. He played as a wing. His nickname is Delz. Early career He grew up in the Town of Ba and he played for Lautoka in the National Provinc ...

* Temesia Kaumaia * Ifereimi Naruma *

Norman Ligairi Norman Armstrong Senibici Ligairi (born 29 January 1976 in Nadi) is a Fijian rugby union player who usually plays as a fullback. He represents Fiji at international level in both the 15-a-side and 7-a-side game. Ligairi is to date the only Fiji ...

Timoci Matanavou Timoci Matanavou (born 8 July 1984 in Lautoka, Fiji) is a Fijian rugby union player. He plays as a wing. He plays for Stade Toulousain in the Top 14 competition. International Matanavou attracted the attention of Fiji Rugby Sevens team selectors ...

Lepani Nabuliwaqa Lepani Nabuliwaqa (born 4 June 1980, in Suva), nicknamed Leps, is a Fijian rugby union footballer. He plays as a wing. Career Nabuliwaqa was an influential member of the Red Rock sevens team which participated in Fiji domestic sevens competition ...

* Vereniki Goneva * Setareki Tawake * Aisea Tuilevu * Seru Rabeni * Kameli Ratuvou *

Ifereimi Rawaqa Ifereimi Rawaqa (born September 20, 1980 in Vuda, Lautoka, Fiji) is a Fijian rugby union player. He plays as a lock or flanker. Career In 2002, when he was still 21 when he made his test debut in the victory over Samoa, in Apia. After four matc ...

Viliame Satala Viliame Satala (born 19 July 1972 in Lautoka) is a Fijian rugby union footballer. He plays as a Centre (rugby union), centre or Wing (rugby union), wing. His nickname is "The Stretcher" for his ability to flatten opposition players. Satala was na ...

Jope Tuikabe Jope Tuikabe (born 27 November 1966) is a Fijian former rugby union and rugby sevens player. He played as a flanker. He has played for Fiji sevens since 1996. One year later, he was called up for the 1997 Rugby World Cup Sevens, which the Fijian ...

Mosese Volavola Mosese Volavola (born 6 June 1979 in Lautoka, Fiji) is a Fijian rugby union footballer. He plays as a Flanker or as a Lock. His nickname is Mo or Moji. Volavola is 6 feet 3 inches (190 cm) tall and weighs 224 pounds (99 kg). ...

* Apolosi Satala * Semisi Naevo * Watekini Vunisa

Head coaches

* Gareth Baber (2016–present) - Baber has won the most tournaments by a Fiji 7s coach and has coached the side to their 4th World Series Title in 2019. In addition, Baber also coached the Fiji 7s side to victory by bringing the country's second gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. * Ben Ryan (2013–16) - Ryan coached the Fiji 7s side to 2 back-to-back world series titles and the country's first gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics. * Waisale Serevi (2005–07; 2008–09) — Serevi coached/played in the side from 2005-2007 guiding Fiji to their first World Sevens Series title in the 2005/2006 season. * Etuwate Waqa * Ratu Kitione Vesikula *

Alifereti Dere Alifereti Dere (born 29 September 1961) is a Fijian former rugby union footballer and coach. He played as a Rugby union/flanker, flanker. Along with fellow Fijian rugby players Mesake Rasari, Niko Baleiverata, Fili Seru, Kinivuwai Ratuvio, Pita Na ...

(2010–13) *

Pauliasi Tabulutu Pauliasi Tabulutu (born 15 July 1967) is a Fijian former dual-code international rugby footballer. He played as scrum-half. Career Rugby Union His first cap for Fiji was during a match against Tonga at Nuku'alofa, on June 28, 1982. He was part ...

(2004–06) * Rupeni Ravonu * Peni Veidreyaki * Alifereti Cawanibuka *

Josateki Sovau Ratu Josateki Sovau (born Nadi, 1951 – April 2005) was a Fijian rugby union player, coach and Taukei Naua. He played as a prop. Career His first international cap for Fiji was during a match against New Zealand Māori, at Christchurch, on 25 ...

Tomasi Cama Tomasi Camaneisenirosi is a Fijian former rugby union footballer. He played for Nabua Rugby Club in Fiji and won 14 caps playing for making his test debut 10 August 1985 against at Ballymore, Brisbane scoring a try. He played four tests in th ...

(2001) *

Sanivalati Laulau Sanivalati Laulau (Nawaka, 1952 – 13 January 2013) was a Fijian rugby union footballer. He played on the wing. He represented Nawaka. Laulau had 32 caps for Fiji, scoring 20 tries, 80 points in aggregate. He is the current record holder for hi ...

* Tevita Wainiqolo

Bibliography

* McLaren, Bill ''A Visit to Hong Kong'' in Starmer-Smith, Nigel & Robertson, Ian (eds) ''The Whitbread Rugby World '90'' (Lennard Books, 1989)

References

External links

*
WorldRugby profile
{{National sports teams of Fiji Fiji national rugby union team National rugby sevens teams