Fiji national rugby union team (sevens)

Rugby team
country =Fiji


imagesize=80px
union = Fiji Rugby Union
nickname =
captain = Marika Vunibaka
coach = Waisale Serevi
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World cup apps = 4
sevens = yes
year = 1993
best = Champions, 1997, 2005

The Fiji Sevens side is one of the most popular and successful Sevens teams in the world and has won the Hong Kong Sevens a record nine times since its inception in 1978. Fiji has also won the Sevens World Cup twice, winning that event in 1997 and 2005 (coincidentally, the two times it has been held in Hong Kong). The Fiji national rugby union sevens team compete in the World Sevens Series, Rugby World Cup Sevens.

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 were horrific. 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.

History

For main article see Rugby union in Fiji

Honours

*1997 Rugby World Cup Sevens Champion
*2005 Rugby World Cup Sevens Champion (Reigning)
*2005/2006 IRB World Seven Series Winners

Current squad for London and Scotland sevens as at 15th May 2008

The following 12 players are in the Fiji Sevens team for the London and Scotland legs of the IRB Sevens series. A notable exclusion is William Ryder who was dropped because of poor form in the last two legs of the series (Australia and Hong Kong) [http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=87884 , Fiji Times, Viewed: 30th April 2008] . Eight players have been retained from the previous leg of the series along with a recall for Iliava Satala who last played for the national team at the Wellington Sevens in 2004. The three new players in the team are Seremaia Burotu, Nasoni Rokobiau and Vereimi Vilitati [http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=89246 , Fiji Times, Viewed: 15th May 2008] .

* Marika Vunibaka (Lomaiviti)
* Viliame Maya (Taveuni)
* Sailosi Rabonaqica ( Nadroga)
* Seremaia Burotu (Lomaiviti)
* Setefano Cakaunivalu (Prison)
* Timoci Matanavou (Ra)
* Nasoni Rokobiau (Hino, Japan)
* Emosi Vucago (Tailevu)
* Tomasi Mawi (Suva)
* Naisa Narukutabua (Nadroga)
* Timoci Matanavou (Ra)
* Vereimi Vilitati (Cakaudrove)
* Iliavi Satala (Army)
* Ratu Laisiasa Tuisawau (Lomaiviti)

"'anish

"'=Former Notable Players=

*Waisale Serevi
*Marika Vunibaka
*Vilimoni Delasau
*Jone Daunivucu
*Manasa Bari
*Rupeni Caucau
*Sireli Bobo
*Kameli Ratuvou
*Jope Tuikabe
*Temesia Kaumaia
*Seru Rabeni
*Viliame Satala
*Apolosi Satala
*Nasoni Roko

Coaches

*Josateki Savou (Head Coach) — replaced by Waisale Serevi for 2008-09

ee also

* Fiji Rugby Union
* Fiji national rugby union team
* Hong Kong Sevens
* Rugby World Cup Sevens

References