Fiji women's national rugby union team
{{Short description|National sports team}}
{{for-multi|the men's team|Fiji national rugby union team|the women's sevens team|Fiji women's national rugby sevens team|the women's rugby league team|Fiji women's national rugby league team}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox national rugby team
| Name =Fiji
| Type = Women
|Nickname=Fijiana
| Union = Fiji Rugby Union
| Coach = Ioan Cunningham
| Captain = Sereima Leweniqila
| from = 2007
| caps =
| top scorer =
| most tries =
| pattern_la1 = _fiji23rwch
| pattern_b1 = _fiji23rwch
| pattern_ra1 = _fiji23rwch
| pattern_sh1 =
| pattern_so1 = _blackstripe
| leftarm1 = ffffff
| body1 = ffffff
| rightarm1 = ffffff
| shorts1 = 000000
| socks1 = ffffff
| pattern_la2 =
| pattern_b2 = _fiji_rugby23a
| pattern_ra2 =
| pattern_sh2 =
| pattern_so2 = _redtop
| leftarm2 = 000000
| body2 =
| rightarm2 = 000000
| shorts2 = ff0000
| socks2 = 000000
| World Rugby Rank = 17
| World Rugby Rank date = 28 October 2024
| First game={{Ruw|FIJ}} 15–27 {{Ruw-rt|SAM}}
(Nukuʻalofa, Tonga; 14 April 2006)
| Largest win = {{Ruw|FIJ}} 152–0 {{Ruw-rt|PNG}}
(Papakura, New Zealand; 9 July 2022)
| Largest loss = {{Ruw|FIJ}} 19–84 {{Ruw-rt|ENG}}
(Auckland, New Zealand; 8 October 2022)
| World cup apps =1 (2021)
| best =
|World Rugby min=32|World Rugby min year=2007|World Rugby max=14|World Rugby max year=2024}}
{{Women's World Rugby Rankings|Fiji}}
The Fiji women's national rugby union team are a national sporting side of Fiji, representing them at rugby union. They played their first test against Samoa in 2006, and compete annually in the Oceania Rugby Women's Championship. In 2022, they created history when they scored the third-highest points in both Men's and Women's Rugby at the Oceania Championship when they trounced Papua New Guinea 152–0. They made their first Rugby World Cup appearance at the delayed tournament in New Zealand.
History
Fiji played their first match in 1997 against a visiting United States XV's team. They played their first international test match against Samoa in the one-off Women's Pacific Tri-Nations in 2006.
Ten years after the Women's Pacific Tri-Nations, the Oceania Rugby Women's Championship was established. The first tournament was held in 2016 between Fiji and Papua New Guinea at the ANZ National Stadium in Suva.{{Cite web |last=Ratulevu |first=Pate |date=5 November 2016 |title=Women's RWC qualification at Stake in Inaugural Oceania Championship |url=https://www.fijirugby.com/womens-rwc-qualification-at-stake-in-inaugural-oceania-championship/ |access-date=23 April 2022 |website=Official Website of Fiji Rugby Union |language=en}} The tournament was also part of the 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup qualification process. Fiji beat Papua New Guinea 37–10 to win the inaugural Oceania Championship and progress to the next stage of qualifications.{{Cite web |date=10 November 2016 |title=Fijiana Win Inaugural Oceania Women's Championship |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161110065615/http://www.oceaniarugby.com/pageitem.aspx?id=118662&id2=1&eID=66726&entityID=66726 |url=http://www.oceaniarugby.com/pageitem.aspx?id=118662&id2=1&eID=66726&entityID=66726 |archive-date=10 November 2016 |access-date=23 April 2022 }}
Fiji met Hong Kong and Japan in a Repechage tournament, but lost both matches and did not qualify for the 2017 World Cup.{{Cite web |last= |date=13 December 2016 |title=Japan and Hong Kong qualify for Women's World Cup |url=https://www.world.rugby/sevens-series/news/213300?lang=en |access-date=23 April 2022 |website=www.world.rugby}} In 2018, Fijiana won the second edition of the Oceania Championship and successfully defended their title after winning all their matches.{{Cite web |date=29 November 2021 |title=Fiji win Oceania Rugby Women's Championship title |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129141536/https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/2021/news/381059 |url=https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/2021/news/381059 |archive-date=29 November 2021 |access-date=23 April 2022 }}
The 2019 Oceania Championship also served as a qualifier for the 2021 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. It was also the first time that the Oceania region was granted a spot at the World Cup. New Zealand and Australia had already qualified from the previous World Cup, Fijiana won the remaining spot and qualified for their first World Cup.{{Cite web |last= |date=30 November 2019 |title=Fiji qualify for Rugby World Cup 2021 |url=https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/2021/news/543018 |access-date=23 April 2022 |website=www.rugbyworldcup.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=5 December 2019 |title=Fijiana still in awe after qualifying for 2021 RWC |url=https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/sports/sevens/fijiana-still-in-awe-after-qualifying-for-2021-rwc/ |access-date=23 April 2022 |website=Fiji Broadcasting Corporation}}
Fiji played two test matches against Australia and Japan in 2022 at Brisbane.{{Cite web |date=29 April 2022 |title=Rooster Chicken to sponsor Fijiana 15s for two historic test matches while Seruvakula names four new overseas-based players |url=https://www.fijitimes.com/rooster-chicken-to-sponsor-fijiana-15s-for-two-historic-test-matches-while-seruvakula-names-four-new-overseas-based-players/ |access-date=15 May 2022 |website=FijiTimes |language=en}}{{Cite web |last= |date=29 April 2022 |title=Fiji hope to harness Super W momentum against Japan and Australia |url=https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/2021/news/710277/fiji-hope-to-harness-super-w-momentum-against-japan-and-australia |access-date=15 May 2022 |website=www.rugbyworldcup.com |language=en}} It would be their first test match against the Wallaroos and only their second time to meet Japan.{{Cite web |date=3 May 2022 |title=Everything you need to know about the Wallaroos Road to New Zealand tests |url=https://www.women.rugby/news/712529/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-wallaroos-road-to-new-zealand-tests |access-date=9 July 2022 |website=www.women.rugby |language=en}} Fiji won the 2022 Oceania Rugby Championship in New Zealand.{{Cite web |date=17 July 2022 |title=Fijiana win Oceania Rugby Womens Championship in a thriller |url=https://oceania.rugby/news/fijiana-win-oceania-rugby-womens-championship-in-a-thriller-2022717 |access-date=18 July 2022 |website=oceania.rugby |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Deo |first=Rohit |date=18 July 2022 |title=Fijiana 15s win Oceania tournament |url=https://www.fijitimes.com/fijiana-15s-win-oceania-tournament/ |access-date=18 July 2022 |website=FijiTimes |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Krishant |first=Naveel |date=17 July 2022 |title=Fijiana 15's win Oceania Rugby Women's Championship |url=https://www.fijivillage.com/sports/Fijiana-15s-win-Oceania-Rugby-Womens-Championship-5f48rx/ |access-date=18 July 2022 |website=www.fijivillage.com |language=en}} They created history when they scored the third-highest points in both Men's and Women's Rugby at the 2022 Oceania Championships as they trounced Papua New Guinea 152–0 in Papakura, New Zealand.{{Cite web |last=Tavi |first=Karalaini |date=9 July 2022 |title=Fijiana trounces PNG |url=https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/sports/rugby/fijiana-trounces-png/ |access-date=28 January 2023 |website=Fiji Broadcasting Corporation}}{{Cite web |last=Rahiman |first=Antonio |date=9 July 2022 |title=Fijiana thrash PNG in a record 152-0 win |url=https://www.fijivillage.com/feature/Fijiana-thrash-PNG-152-0-8r5f4x/ |access-date=28 January 2023 |website=www.fijivillage.com |language=en}}
= First World Cup =
In 2022, Fijiana were overwhelmed in their first Rugby World Cup match by England who ran in 14 tries and recorded an 84–19 victory.{{Cite web |last=Calvert |first=Lee |date=8 October 2022 |title=14-try England overrun Fiji to make Women's Rugby World Cup statement |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/oct/08/england-overrun-fiji-84-19-to-make-early-womens-rugby-world-cup-statement |access-date=16 October 2022 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=8 October 2022 |title=Favourites England hand Fiji 14-try mauling at World Cup |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/favourites-england-hand-fiji-14-try-mauling-world-cup-2022-10-08/ |access-date=16 October 2022}} They later achieved their first World Cup win when they defeated South Africa 21–17.{{Cite news |date=16 October 2022 |title=Fiji strike late to snatch first World Cup victory |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/fiji-strike-late-snatch-first-world-cup-victory-2022-10-16/ |access-date=16 October 2022}}{{Cite web |date=16 October 2022 |title=Thrill-a-minute Fijiana record first-ever Rugby World Cup win |url=https://www.women.rugby/news/770334/fiji-v-south-africa-rwc-2021-match-report |access-date=16 October 2022 |website=www.women.rugby |language=en}} Their win against the Springbok Women moved them up five places to their highest ranking of 16th from 21st.{{Cite web |last=Rasekaseka |first=Marika |date=17 October 2022 |title=Fijiana moved to 16th place in World Rugby ranking by beating South Africa |url=https://www.fijivillage.com/sports/Fijiana-moved-to-16th-place-in-World-Rugby-ranking-by-beating-South-Africa-8x5f4r/ |access-date=16 October 2022 |website=www.fijivillage.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Rakautoga |first=Venina |date=17 October 2022 |title=Fijiana moves up in ranking |url=https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/sports/rugby/fijiana-moves-up-in-ranking/ |access-date=16 October 2022 |website=Fiji Broadcasting Corporation}} France kept Fiji scoreless in their last World Cup match with a score of 44–0.{{Cite web |last=Curuqara |first=Paulini |date=24 October 2022 |title=France in quarter-finals |url=https://www.fijitimes.com/france-in-quarter-finals/ |access-date=27 October 2022 |website=FijiTimes |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Baleilevuka |first=Rusiate |date=22 October 2022 |title=Fijiana go down to France 44-0 in their last WRWC match |url=https://www.fijivillage.com/sports/France-thrashes-Fijiana-42---0-rx4f85/ |access-date=27 October 2022 |website=www.fijivillage.com |language=en}}
= Second World Cup =
Fiji qualified for their second Rugby World Cup after winning the 2024 Oceania Rugby Women's Championship.{{Cite web |date=2 June 2024 |title=Fijiana XV Secures Direct Qualification to Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 |url=https://oceania.rugby/news/fijiana-xv-secures-direct-qualification-to-rugby-world-cup-2025-202462 |access-date=3 June 2024 |website=oceania.rugby |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=3 June 2024 |title=History-making Fiji and Hong Kong China move up World Rugby Women's Rankings |url=https://www.world.rugby/news/934604?lang=en |access-date=3 June 2024 |website=www.world.rugby}}
Records
=Rugby World Cup=
{{Fiji Women's Rugby World Cup record}}
=Overall=
{{See also|List of Fiji women's national rugby union team matches}}
(Full internationals only, updated to 20 May 2023)
| class="wikitable" |
| align="left"
|+ Rugby: Fiji internationals from 2006 ! Opponent !! First game !! Played !! Won !! Drawn !! Lost !!Win % |
| align="center"
|style="text-align: left;"|{{Ruw|AUS}} | 2022 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |0% |
| align="center"
|style="text-align: left;"|{{Ruw|CAN}} |2022 |1 |0 |0 |1 |0% |
| align="center"
|style="text-align: left;"|{{Ruw|ENG}} |2022 |1 |0 |0 |1 |0% |
| align="center"
|style="text-align: left;"|{{Ruw|FRA}} |2022 |1 |0 |0 |1 |0% |
| align="center"
|style="text-align: left;"|{{Ruw|HKG}} | 2016 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |0% |
| align="center"
|style="text-align: left;"|{{Ruw|JPN}} | 2016 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |0% |
| align="center"
|style="text-align: left;"|{{Ruw|PNG}} | 2016 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 |100% |
| align="center"
|style="text-align: left;"|{{Ruw|SAM}} | 2006 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 |57.14% |
| align="center"
|style="text-align: left;"|{{Ruw|RSA}} | 2022 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |100% |
| align="center"
|style="text-align: left;"|{{Ruw|TON}} | 2006 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 |100% |
| align="center"
! Summary ! 2006 ! 25 ! 13 ! 0 ! 12 ! 52% |
Players
= Recent squad =
Fijiana's 30-player squad for the 2024 WXV tournament in Dubai.{{Cite web |last=Perkins |first=Bruce |date=23 September 2024 |title=All 18 squads for the 2024 WXV |url=http://4theloveofsport.co.uk/2024/09/23/all-18-squads-for-the-2024-wxv/ |access-date=26 September 2024 |website=4 The Love Of Sport |language=en-GB}}
{{nat rs start|hidenote=yes}}
{{nat rs player|pos=PR|name={{sortname|Bitila|Tawake}}|age={{Birth date and age2|2024|9|27|1999|4|2|df=y}}|caps=|club=Chiefs Manawa|clubnat=NZ}}
{{nat rs player|pos=PR|name={{sortname|Salanieta|Nabuli}}|age={{Birth date and age2|2024|9|27|2003|2|7|df=y}}|caps=|club=Fijian Drua|clubnat=FIJ}}
{{nat rs player|pos=FW|name={{sortname|Loraini|Senivutu}}|age={{Birth date and age2|2024|9|27|2003|1|23|df=y}}|caps=uncapped|club=Fijian Drua|clubnat=FIJ}}
{{nat rs player|pos=PR|name={{sortname|Tiana|Robanakadavu}}|age={{Birth date and age2|2024|9|27|2005|7|17|df=y}}|caps=|club=Fijian Drua|clubnat=FIJ}}
{{nat rs player|pos=FW|name={{sortname|Penina|Turova}}|age=|caps=uncapped|club=|clubnat=}}
{{nat rs player|pos=FW|name={{sortname|Merevesi|Ofakimalino}}|age={{Birth date and age2|2024|9|27|1994|3|30|df=y}}|caps=|club=Fijian Drua|clubnat=FIJ}}
{{nat rs player|pos=HK|name={{sortname|Unaisi|Lalabalavu}}|age={{Birth date and age2|2024|9|27|2004|3|1|df=y}}|caps=|club=Fijian Drua|clubnat=FIJ}}
{{nat rs player|pos=PR|name={{sortname|Anasimeci|Korovata}}|age={{Birth date and age2|2024|9|27|1996|8|1|df=y}}|caps=|club=Fijian Drua|clubnat=FIJ}}
{{nat rs player|pos=LK|name={{sortname|Doreen|Narokete}}|age={{Birth date and age2|2024|9|27|2002|4|4|df=y}}|caps=|club=Queensland Reds|clubnat=AUS}}
{{nat rs player|pos=LK|name={{sortname|Nunia|Daunimoala}}|age={{Birth date and age2|2024|9|27|1999|6|30|df=y}}|caps=|club=Fijian Drua|clubnat=FIJ}}
{{nat rs player|pos=BR|name={{sortname|Sulita|Waisega}}|age={{Birth date and age2|2024|9|27|2004|3|16|df=y}}|caps=|club=Fijian Drua|clubnat=FIJ}}
{{nat rs player|pos=BR|name={{sortname|Karalaini|Naisewa}}|age={{Birth date and age2|2024|9|27|1994|7|23|df=y}}|caps=|club=Fijian Drua|clubnat=FIJ}}
{{nat rs player|pos=FW|name={{sortname|Sereima|Leweniqila}}|age={{Birth date and age2|2024|9|27|1990|5|5|df=y}}|caps=|club=Fijian Drua|clubnat=FIJ}}
{{nat rs player|pos=LK|name={{sortname|Mereoni|Nakesa}}|age={{Birth date and age2|2024|9|27|2003|2|17|df=y}}|caps=|club=Fijian Drua|clubnat=FIJ}}
{{nat rs player|pos=BR|name={{sortname|Teresia|Tinanivalu}}|age={{Birth date and age2|2024|9|27|1995|3|26|df=y}}|caps=|club=Fijian Drua|clubnat=FIJ}}
{{nat rs player|pos=SH|name={{sortname|Evivi|Senikarivi}}|age={{Birth date and age2|2024|9|27|2000|6|12|df=y}}|caps=|club=Fijian Drua|clubnat=FIJ}}
{{nat rs player|pos=FH|name={{sortname|Salanieta|Kinita}}|age={{Birth date and age2|2024|9|27|2001|9|14|df=y}}|caps=|club=Fijian Drua|clubnat=FIJ}}
{{nat rs player|pos=CE|name={{sortname|Vani|Arei}}|age={{Birth date and age2|2024|9|27|1999|4|14|df=y}}|caps=|club=Fijian Drua|clubnat=FIJ}}
{{nat rs player|pos=BK|name={{sortname|Wainikiti|Vosadrau}}|age=|caps=|club=|clubnat=}}
{{nat rs player|pos=WG|name={{sortname|Adita|Milinia}}|age=|caps=|club=Fijian Drua|clubnat=FIJ}}
{{nat rs player|pos=BK|name={{sortname|Adi Fulori|Rotagavira}}|age=|caps=|club=Fijian Drua|clubnat=FIJ}}
{{nat rs player|pos=CE|name={{sortname|Merewai|Cumu}}|age={{Birth date and age2|2024|9|27|1998|7|31|df=y}}|caps=|club=Fijian Drua|clubnat=FIJ}}
{{nat rs player|pos=BK|name={{sortname|Rusila|Nagasau}}|age={{Birth date and age2|2024|9|27|1987|8|4|df=y}}|caps=|club=|clubnat=}}
{{nat rs player|pos=SH|name={{sortname|Setaita|Railumu}}|age=|caps=|club=Fijian Drua|clubnat=FIJ}}
{{nat rs player|pos=FH|name={{sortname|Jennifer|Goodsir Ravutia}}|age={{Birth date and age2|2024|9|27|1995|5|12|df=y}}|caps=|club=Fijian Drua|clubnat=FIJ}}
{{nat rs player|pos=CE|name={{sortname|Merewairita|Neivosa}}|age=|caps=|club=Fijian Drua|clubnat=FIJ}}
{{nat rs player|pos=FB|name={{sortname|Atelaite|Buna}}|age={{Birth date and age2|2024|9|27|2000|7|25|df=y}}|caps=|club=Fijian Drua|clubnat=FIJ}}
{{nat rs player|pos=FB|name={{sortname|Luisa|Tisolo}}|age={{Birth date and age2|2024|9|27|1991|9|20|df=y}}|caps=|club=Fijian Drua|clubnat=FIJ}}
{{nat rs player|pos=BK|name={{sortname|Mary|Kanace}}|age=|caps=uncapped|club=|clubnat=}}
{{nat rs player|pos=WG|name={{sortname|Iva|Sauira}}|age={{Birth date and age2|2024|9|27|2001|8|30|df=y}}|caps=uncapped|club=Fijian Drua|clubnat=FIJ}}
{{nat fs end}}
= Award winners =
The following Fiji players have been recognised at the World Rugby Awards since 2001:{{cite news | url=https://www.world.rugby/tournaments/awards/past-winners | title=Awards Roll of Honour - World Rugby | website=www.world.rugby | access-date=16 March 2024 | language=en}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
| class="wikitable" |
| width=40| Year
!width=160| Nominees !width=160| Winners |
|---|
| align=center| 2022
|align=center| — |
{{col-end}}
Coaches
| class="wikitable" |
| Coach
! Years !Refs |
|---|
| {{flagicon|FIJ}} Seremaia Bai
| 2016 |
| {{flagicon|FIJ}} Senirusi Seruvakula
| 2020–2022 |
| {{flagicon|FIJ}} Inoke Male
| 2023 |
| {{flagicon|FIJ}} Mosese Rauluni
|2024 |
| {{flagicon|WAL}} Ioan Cunningham
|2025– |
See also
{{Portal|Sports}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.fijirugby.com/ Fiji Rugby Official site]
{{Rugby union in Fiji}}
{{National sports teams of Fiji}}
{{Rugby union in Oceania}}
{{Women's national rugby teams}}