Fiji national rugby sevens team

Fiji national rugby sevens team
Medal record
Olympic Games
Rugby Sevens World Cup
World Games
Oceania Sevens Championship
Pacific Games

Fiji
Union	Fiji Rugby Union
Coach	Osea Kolinisau
Captain	Jeremaia Matana
Top scorer	Waisale Serevi (1310)
Most tries	Waisea Nacuqu (135)
Team kit	Change kit
World Cup Sevens
Appearances	8 (First in 1993)
Best result	Champions (1997, 2005, 2022) ; World Rugby series (2005–2006, 2014–2015, 2015–2016, 2018–2019)

The Fiji national rugby sevens team has competed in the World Rugby Sevens Series, Rugby World Cup Sevens and the Olympics. Fiji won the gold medal in the inaugural rugby sevens at the Summer Olympics in 2016 in Brazil, the country's first Olympic medal in any event, and repeated as Olympic champions in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, defeating New Zealand.^[1] Fiji would fall short from winning gold for a third straight time in 2024 after a defeat in the final to hosts France. Overall, Fiji are the only national rugby sevens team 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.^[2] Their passing and offloads can be unorthodox for traditional rugby coaching, and more similar to basketball style.^[3]

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.^[4]

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

Summary
Rank	Times	Seasons
1st	4	2005–06, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2018–2019
2nd	6	1999–2000, 2004–05, 2006–07, 2008–09, 2011–12, 2017–18, 2024–25
3rd	9	2000–01, 2002–03, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2016–17, 2019–20, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24
4th	5	2001–02, 2003–04, 2007–08, 2009–10, 2010–11
6th	1	2023-24
Total	25

Fiji has won the World Rugby Sevens Series four times — first in 2005–06, and most recently in 2018–19.

Sevens Series record
Year	Position	Rounds	Points	Most tries	Most points
1999–00	2nd	10	180	Vilimoni Delasau (83)
2000–01	3rd	9	124
2001–02	4th	11	122
2002–03	3rd	7	94
2003–04	4th	8	84
2004–05	2nd	7	88
2005–06	1st	8	144
2006–07	2nd	8	128		William Ryder (416)
2007–08	4th	8	98	Emosi Vucago (25)	Neumi Nanuku (146)
2008–09	2nd	8	102	Vereniki Goneva (24)
2009–10	4th	8	108		William Ryder (166)
2010–11	4th	8	122	Seremaia Burotu (29)	Emosi Vucago (195)
2011–12	2nd	9	161	Joeli Lutumailagi (28)	Metuisela Talebula (271)
2012–13	3rd	9	121	Samisoni Viriviri (29)	Joji Baleviani Raqamate (247)
2013–14	3rd	9	144	Samisoni Viriviri (52)	Samisoni Viriviri (260)
2014–15	1st	9	164	Savenaca Rawaca (42)	Osea Kolinisau (312)
2015–16^[5]	1st	10	181	Savenaca Rawaca (35)	Vatemo Ravouvou (287)
2016–17	3rd	10	150
2017–18	2nd	10	180	Eroni Sau (37)	Amenoni Nasilasila (316)
2018–19	1st	10	186	Aminiasi Tuimaba (46)
2019–20	3rd	6	83	Aminiasi Tuimaba (20)	Napolioni Bolaca (159)
2021	Did Not Participate
2021–22	3rd	9	122	Viwa Naduvalo (28)	Waisea Nacuqu (230)
2022–23	3rd	11	156		Waisea Nacuqu (317)
2023–24	6th	7	80
2024–25	2nd	6	96	Joji Nasova (26)	Joji Nasova (158)
Total	4 Titles	209	3039	Nasoni Roko (125)	Waisale Serevi (1,310)

Quadrennial tournaments

Summer Olympics

Olympic Games record
Year	Round	Pos	Pld	W	L	Most tries	Qualifying
2016^[6]	Gold Medal Match	1st	6	6	0	Josua Tuisova (5)	Finished first at the 2014–15 World Series
2020	Gold Medal Match	1st	6	6	0	Jiuta Wainiqolo (5)	Finished first at the 2018–19 World Series
2024	Gold Medal Match	2nd	6	5	1	Joji Nasova (4)	Finished third at the 2022–23 World Series
Total	2 Titles	3/3	18	17	1

Olympic Games History
2016	Pool stage	Fiji 40 – 12 Brazil	Win
		Fiji 21 – 14 Argentina	Win
		Fiji 24 – 19 United States	Win
	Quarterfinals	Fiji 12 – 7 New Zealand	Win
	Semifinals	Fiji 20 – 5 Japan	Win
	Gold Medal Match	Fiji 43 – 7 Great Britain	Win
2020	Pool stage	Fiji 24 – 19 Japan	Win
		Fiji 28 – 14 Canada	Win
		Fiji 33 – 7 Great Britain	Win
	Quarterfinals	Fiji 19 – 0 Australia	Win
	Semifinals	Fiji 26 – 14 Argentina	Win
	Gold Medal Match	Fiji 27 – 12 New Zealand	Win
2024	Pool stage	Fiji 40 – 12 Uruguay	Win
		Fiji 38 – 12 United States	Win
		Fiji 19 – 12 France	Win
	Quarterfinals	Fiji 19 – 15 Ireland	Win
	Semifinals	Fiji 31 – 7 Australia	Win
	Gold Medal Match	Fiji 7 – 28 France	Loss

Rugby World Cup Sevens

World Cup Sevens record
Year	Round	Position	Played	Won	Lost	Drew	Most tries	Most points
1993	Semi-finals	3rd	9	7	2	0
1997	Finals	1st	7	7	0	0	M. Vunibaka (12)	W. Serevi (117)
2001	Semi-finals	3rd	7	6	1	0
2005	Finals	1st	8	8	0	0
2009	Quarter-finals	5th	4	3	1	0
2013	Semi-finals	3rd	6	4	2	0
2018	Semi-finals	4th	4	2	2	0
2022	Finals	1st	4	4	0	0
Total	3 Titles	8/8	49	41	8	0	M. Vunibaka (23)	W. Serevi (297)

Commonwealth Games

Commonwealth Games record^[7]
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	L	D
1998	Gold Medal Match	2nd	7	6	1	0
2002	Gold Medal Match	2nd	6	4	2	0
2006	Bronze Medal Match	3rd	6	5	1	0
2010	Suspended^[8]
2014	Ineligible^[9]
2018	Gold Medal Match	2nd	5	4	1	0
2022	Gold Medal Match	2nd	6	5	0	0
Total	0 Titles	5/5	30	24	5	0

Commonwealth Games history
1998	1st Phase	Fiji 54 – 7 Wales	Win
	1st Phase	Fiji 71 – 0 Swaziland	Win
	2nd Phase	Fiji 63 – 5 Malaysia	Win
	2nd Phase	Fiji 71 – 0 Kenya	Win
	Quarter-finals	Fiji 26 – 19 Canada	Win
	Semi-finals	Fiji 28 – 14 Australia	Win
	Gold Medal Match	Fiji 12 – 21 New Zealand	Loss
2002	Pool stage	Fiji 75 – 0 Trinidad and Tobago	Win
	Pool stage	Fiji 73 – 0 Malaysia	Win
	Pool stage	Fiji 12 – 19 Australia	Loss
	Quarter-finals	Fiji 7 – 5 England	Win
	Semi-finals	Fiji 17 – 7 South Africa	Win
	Gold Medal Match	Fiji 15 – 33 New Zealand	Loss
2006	Pool stage	Fiji 31 – 14 Canada	Win
	Pool stage	Fiji 63 – 0 Niue	Win
	Pool stage	Fiji 33 – 7 Scotland	Win
	Quarter-finals	Fiji 26 – 7 Wales	Win
	Semi-finals	Fiji 14 – 21 England	Loss
	Bronze Medal Match	Fiji 24 – 17 Australia	Win
2010	Suspended
2014	Boycott
2018	Pool stage	Fiji 63 – 5 Sri Lanka	Win
	Pool stage	Fiji 54 – 0 Uganda	Win
	Pool stage	Fiji 21 – 17 Wales	Win
	Semi-Finals	Fiji 24 – 19 South Africa	Win
	Gold Medal Match	Fiji 0 – 14 New Zealand	Loss
2022	Pool Stage	Fiji 52 – 0 Zambia	Win
	Pool Stage	Fiji 19 – 12 Canada	Win
	Pool Stage	Fiji 38 – 24 Wales	Win
	Quarter-finals	Fiji 34 – 7 Scotland	Win
	Semi-Finals	Fiji 19 (a.e.t.) – 14 New Zealand	Win
	Gold Medal Match	Fiji 7 – 31 South Africa	Loss

Tournament Victories

World Sevens Series Winners (2005–06, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2018–19)
Summer Olympics Gold (2016, 2020)^[10]
Rugby World Cup Sevens Champions (1997, 2005,2022)^[11]
Commonwealth Games: Silver (1998, 2002, 2018,2022); 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 Winner (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008)
Oceania Sevens Winners (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021)^[12]
Gala Sevens Winner (1991)
Australia Sevens Winners (2000, 2007, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2020)
USA Sevens Winners (2007, 2015, 2016)
Singapore Sevens Winners (2006, 2018)
Scotland Sevens Winners (2009, 2015)
Mar de Plata Winners (2000, 2002)
New Zealand Sevens Winners (2000, 2006, 2010, 2018, 2019)
South Africa Sevens Winners (1999, 2002, 2005, 2018)
London Sevens Winners (2006, 2012, 2018, 2019)
Dubai Sevens Winners (2013, 2015)
Japan Sevens Winners (1995–97, 2000, 2014)

Players

Current squad

The following players have been selected to represent Fiji during the 2023–24 SVNS tournament beginning in December 2023.

Note: Caps reflect the total number of SVNS events competed in as of the 2023 Dubai Sevens.

Player	Position	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Club/province
Jerry Matana	Forward	(1998-07-14) 14 July 1998	14	Unattached
Sevuloni Mocenacagi	Forward	(1990-06-29) 29 June 1990	48	Rouen
Kaminieli Rasaku	Forward	(1999-07-12) 12 July 1999	10	Bayonne
Filipe Sauturaga	Forward	(1994-06-19) 19 June 1994	12	Unattached
Joseva Talacolo (c)	Forward	(1997-04-01) 1 April 1997	13	Unattached
Ilikimi Vunaki	Forward	2001 (age 24–25)	1	Unattached
Pilipo Bukayaro	Back	(1999-03-18) 18 March 1999	15	Unattached
Josese Batirerega	Back	(1999-11-28) 28 November 1999	9	Unattached
Rubeni Kabu	Back	1997 (age 28–29)	1	Unattached
Netava Koroisau	Back	1996 (age 29–30)	1	Unattached
Manueli Maisamoa	Back	(1995-08-09) 9 August 1995	17	Unattached
Vuiviawa Naduvalo	Back	(1996-05-25) 25 May 1996	15	Unattached
Kavekini Tabu	Back	(1994-06-21) 21 June 1994	7	Bressane
Terio Tamani	Back	(1994-07-06) 6 July 1994	13	Unattached

Records and statistics

Olympic squads

Player records

The following section lists player records from the World Rugby Sevens Series. Players in bold are still active.

Most tries^[13]
No.	Player	Tries
1	Jerry Tuwai	140
2	Waisea Nacuqu	131
3	Nasoni Rokobiau	125
4	Osea Kolinisau	122
5	Samisoni Viriviri	120

Most points
No.	Player	Points
1	Waisale Serevi	1,310
2	Osea Kolinisau	1,272
3	William Ryder	987
4	Vatemo Ravouvou	981
5	Nasoni Roko	857

Award winners

The following Fiji Sevens players have been recognised at the World Rugby Awards since 2004:^[14]^[15]^[16]

World Rugby Men's 7s Player of the Year (2004–17)
Year	Nominees	Winners
2005	Neumi Nanuku	—
2014	Samisoni Viriviri	Samisoni Viriviri
2015	Semi Kunatani	—
2016	Osea Kolinisau
2017	Jerry Tuwai

World Rugby Men's 7s Player of the Year (2018–25)
Year	Nominees	Winners
2018	Jerry Tuwai (2)
2019	Jerry Tuwai (3)	Jerry Tuwai
2021	Napolioni Bolaca	—
2021	Jiuta Wainiqolo
2022	Kaminieli Rasaku

World Rugby Coach of the Year
Year	Nominees	Winners
2016	Ben Ryan	—

World Rugby Men's 7s Dream Team
Year	No.	Player
2024	6.	Ponepati Loganimasi
2025	5.	Joji Nasova

Former players

In addition to the players listed above, other notable players include:

Waisale Serevi
William Ryder
Jerry Tuwai
Osea Kolinisau
Semi Kunatani
Rupeni Caucaunibuca
Samisoni Viriviri
Semi Radradra
Levani Botia
Manasa Bari
Sireli Bobo
Vilimoni Delasau
Temesia Kaumaia
Ifereimi Naruma
Norman Ligairi
Timoci Matanavou
Lepani Nabuliwaqa
Vereniki Goneva
Setareki Tawake
Aisea Tuilevu
Seru Rabeni
Kameli Ratuvou
Ifereimi Rawaqa
Viliame Satala
Jope Tuikabe
Mosese Volavola
Apolosi Satala
Semisi Naevo
Watekini Vunisa

Head coaches


Coach	Tenure	Note
Gareth Baber	2016–21	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.
Alifereti Dere	2010–13
Waisale Serevi	2005–07; 2008–09	Serevi coached/played in the side from 2005 to 2007 guiding Fiji to their first World Sevens Series title in the 2005–2006 season.
Pauliasi Tabulutu	2004–06
Wayne Pivac	2005
Etuate Waqa
Ratu Kitione Vesikula
Rupeni Ravonu
Peni Veidreyaki
Alifereti Cawanibuka
Tomasi Cama	2001
Josateki Sovau	1987
Sanivalati Laulau
Timoci 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

^ "Fiji beats New Zealand to clinch back-to-back Olympic titles". AP. 27 July 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
^ "Rugby Sevens final: Team GB thrashed 43-7 as Fiji win their first-ever Olympic medal", Telegraph, Daniel Schofield, 12 August 2016.
^ "Q&A: Ben Ryan on life after becoming an Olympic legend – and Fijian chief – as coach of the island’s gold-medal rugby team", South China Morning Post, James Porteous, 15 October 2016.
^ "No Money, No Problem for Fiji Rugby Sevens Team", New York Times, Emma Stoney, March 28, 2014.
^ "Fiji secure back-to-back titles after day one in London", Telegraph, Oliver Pickup, 21 May 2016.
^ "Fiji storms to sevens gold, claiming first-ever Olympic medal", Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 12 August 2016.
^ "A potted history of sevens at the Commonwealth Games", WorldRugby.org, 6 April 2018.
^ "Fiji suspended from 2010 Commonwealth Games", Herald Sun, Julie Tullberg, October 12, 2009.
^ "Fiji drops Games boycott threat", news.com.au, March 27, 2014.
^ "Fiji storms to sevens gold, claiming first-ever Olympic medal", Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 12 August 2016.
^ "How Fiji Sevens’ Waisale Serevi and his band of ‘schoolchildren’ took the Hong Kong 1997 World Cup home", South China Morning Post, Sam Agars, 18 July 2018.
^ "Fiji storm to victory in Oceania Sevens in Noosa with victory over New Zealand in the final" Archived 2018-10-27 at the Wayback Machine, Ultimate Rugby Sevens, Nick Jordan, 4 October 2014.
^ World Rugby
^ "Awards Roll of Honour - World Rugby". www.world.rugby. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
^ "Fijian Samisoni Viriviri voted IRB Sevens Player of the Year". www.insidethegames.biz. 11 May 2014. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
^ "Tuwai named World Rugby Men's 7s Player of the Year 2019". www.fijitimes.com. 4 November 2019. Retrieved 29 November 2025.

External links

[1] "Fiji beats New Zealand to clinch back-to-back Olympic titles". AP. 27 July 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2021.

[2] "Rugby Sevens final: Team GB thrashed 43-7 as Fiji win their first-ever Olympic medal", Telegraph, Daniel Schofield, 12 August 2016.

[3] "Q&A: Ben Ryan on life after becoming an Olympic legend – and Fijian chief – as coach of the island’s gold-medal rugby team", South China Morning Post, James Porteous, 15 October 2016.

[4] "No Money, No Problem for Fiji Rugby Sevens Team", New York Times, Emma Stoney, March 28, 2014.

[5] "Fiji secure back-to-back titles after day one in London", Telegraph, Oliver Pickup, 21 May 2016.

[6] "Fiji storms to sevens gold, claiming first-ever Olympic medal", Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 12 August 2016.

[7] "A potted history of sevens at the Commonwealth Games", WorldRugby.org, 6 April 2018.

[8] "Fiji suspended from 2010 Commonwealth Games", Herald Sun, Julie Tullberg, October 12, 2009.

[9] "Fiji drops Games boycott threat", news.com.au, March 27, 2014.

[10] "Fiji storms to sevens gold, claiming first-ever Olympic medal", Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 12 August 2016.

[11] "How Fiji Sevens’ Waisale Serevi and his band of ‘schoolchildren’ took the Hong Kong 1997 World Cup home", South China Morning Post, Sam Agars, 18 July 2018.

[12] "Fiji storm to victory in Oceania Sevens in Noosa with victory over New Zealand in the final" Archived 2018-10-27 at the Wayback Machine, Ultimate Rugby Sevens, Nick Jordan, 4 October 2014.

[13] World Rugby

[World_Rugby_Award_winners-14] "Awards Roll of Honour - World Rugby". www.world.rugby. Retrieved 16 March 2024.

[15] "Fijian Samisoni Viriviri voted IRB Sevens Player of the Year". www.insidethegames.biz. 11 May 2014. Retrieved 29 November 2025.

[16] "Tuwai named World Rugby Men's 7s Player of the Year 2019". www.fijitimes.com. 4 November 2019. Retrieved 29 November 2025.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

Fiji squad – 2020 Summer Olympics – Gold medal
Forwards	Meli Derenalagi Iosefo Masi Kalione Nasoko Asaeli Tuivuaka Josua Vakurunabili Jiuta Wainiqolo
Backs	Napolioni Bolaca Vilimoni Botitu Sireli Maqala Waisea Nacuqu Semi Radradra Aminiasi Tuimaba Jerry Tuwai (c)
Coach	Gareth Baber

Fiji squad – 2016 Summer Olympics – Gold medal
Forwards	Masivesi Dakuwaqa Apisai Domolailai Semi Kunatani Viliame Mata Leone Nakarawa Jasa Veremalua
Backs	Osea Kolinisau Vatemo Ravouvou Savenaca Rawaca Kitione Taliga Josua Tuisova Jerry Tuwai Samisoni Viriviri
Coach	Ben Ryan

National rugby sevens teams
World Rugby Sevens Series core teams	Argentina Australia Canada Fiji France Great Britain Ireland New Zealand Samoa South Africa Spain United States
Teams with Rugby World Cup Sevens experience	Chile Chinese Taipei Cook Islands England Georgia Germany Hong Kong Italy Jamaica Japan Kenya Latvia Morocco Namibia Netherlands Papua New Guinea Philippines Portugal Romania Russia Scotland South Korea Tonga Tunisia Uganda Uruguay Wales Zimbabwe
Other teams	Afghanistan Algeria American Samoa Andorra Austria Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belgium Benin Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Brazil Brunei Bulgaria Burundi Cambodia Cayman Islands China Colombia Comoros Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Djibouti Dominican Republic Egypt Estonia Finland Gabon Gambia Ghana Greece Grenada Guam Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Hungary India Indonesia Iran Israel Kazakhstan Kiribati Kyrgyzstan Kosovo Lithuania Luxembourg Madagascar Malaysia Malta Mexico Moldova Monaco Montenegro Nauru New Caledonia Nigeria Niue Norway Pakistan Paraguay Peru Poland Qatar Rwanda Saint Kitts Saint Lucia Saint Vincent San Marino Serbia Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Sri Lanka Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Tahiti Tajikistan Thailand Togo Tokelau Trinidad & Tobago Turkey Turkmenistan Tuvalu Ukraine United Arab Emirates Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Wallis and Futuna West Indies Zambia
Defunct	Arabian Gulf Czechoslovakia East Germany West Germany USSR Yugoslavia

Olympic Champions in Rugby sevens - Men's tournament
List of Olympic medalists
2016: Fiji (FIJ) 2020: Fiji (FIJ) 2024: France (FRA)

National sports teams of Fiji
Badminton Basketball M M U18 M U15 W W U18 W U15 Beach soccer Cricket M M U19 W W U19 Field hockey M W Football M M U23 M U20 M U17 W W U20 W U17 Futsal M W Netball Rugby league M W Rugby union M M U20 M7 W W7 Tennis M W Volleyball
Olympics Paralympics Commonwealth Games