Fiji national rugby union team

The Fiji National rugby union team is a member of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance (PIRA) along with Samoa and Tonga.

Fiji is one of the few countries where rugby union is the main sport. The cibi (pronounced ‘thimbi’) war dance is performed by the Fiji rugby team before each Test match. It has been used on the rugby field since 1939, though its origins date back to the country’s warring times with its Pacific neighbours.

Rugby was first played in Fiji by European and Fijian soldiers of the Native Constabulary at Ba, on Viti Levu Island in 1884. By 1914 a 'native competition' was started and in 1915 a Fiji Native Union was begun and became affiliated to the Fiji RFU.

Fiji played their first international against Samoa, then known as Western Samoa in Apia in 1924. They won 6-0 despite playing barefoot.

In 1939 Fiji toured New Zealand for the first time. With many players still preferring to play barefoot, the Fijians played with a care-free spirit and created history by becoming the first team to go through a full tour of New Zealand unbeaten, winning seven and drawing one, a record that stands to this day.

In 1945: The Native Rugby Union had ceased to exist, and by 1953 Fiji and Suva had separate unions. The Fiji Rugby Football Union was renamed Fiji Rugby Union, in 1963

Fiji succesfully toured New Zealand again in 1951 and 1957 and Australia in 1952 and 1954.

Fiji is one of the most popular and succesful Sevens teams and have won the Hong Kong Sevens nine times since 1978. In 1992 Fiji beat New Zealand again in the final to make it three titles in a row.

However, in the 15 man game there has been less success. In 1995 Fiji failed to qualify for the World Cup. In 1987 Fiji made the quarter-final of the Rugby World Cup and seemed about to beat France, the eventual finalists, till Koroduadua lost the ball out of his hand when in full stride.

In 1991 Fiji lost all three and failed to make the 1995 World Cup, but in 1999 they were again in action and again seemed about to beat France when things went wrong. They did make the quarter-final play-off, losing 45-24 to England.

In 2001 Fiji were crowned Pacific Rim champions, defeating Samoa 28-17 in the final in Tokyo. But recently Fijian rugby has battled. One of the problems for Fiji is simply getting their players to play for the country as many have contracts in Europe and with Super 12 teams where the money is far more rewarding.

Famous players

See also

External Links


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