Fiji women's national rugby union team

For the men's team, see Fiji national rugby union team. For the women's sevens team, see Fiji women's national rugby sevens team. For the women's rugby league team, see Fiji women's national rugby league team.

Fiji
Shirt badge/Association crest
NicknameFijiana
UnionFiji Rugby Union
Head coachIoan Cunningham
CaptainSereima Leweniqila
First colours
Second colours
World Rugby ranking
Current16 (as of 26 May 2025)
Highest14 (2024)
Lowest32 (2007)
First international
  15–27 Samoa 
(Nukuʻalofa, Tonga; 14 April 2006)
Biggest win
  152–0 Papua New Guinea 
(Papakura, New Zealand; 9 July 2022)
Biggest defeat
  19–84 England 
(Auckland, New Zealand; 8 October 2022)
World Cup
Appearances1 (2021)
Women's
World Rugby Rankings
Top 20 rankings as of 18 August 2025[1]
Rank Change* Team Points
1 Steady  England 97.76
2 Steady  Canada 90.13
3 Steady  New Zealand 88.74
4 Steady  France 85.72
5 Steady  Ireland 78.81
6 Steady  Australia 76.31
7 Steady  Italy 76.06
8 Steady  Scotland 75.33
9 Steady  Wales 72.18
10 Steady  United States 72.05
11 Steady  Japan 68.83
12 Steady  South Africa 68.04
13 Steady  Spain 63.31
14 Steady   59.98
15 Steady  Samoa 59.72
16 Steady  Hong Kong 57.56
17 Steady  Netherlands 57.42
18 Steady  Russia 55.10
19 Steady  Kazakhstan 53.88
20 Steady  Kenya 50.68
*Change from the previous week

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.[2] The tournament was also part of the 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup qualification process.[2] Fiji beat Papua New Guinea 37–10 to win the inaugural Oceania Championship and progress to the next stage of qualifications.[3]

Fiji met Hong Kong and Japan in a Repechage tournament, but lost both matches and did not qualify for the 2017 World Cup.[4] In 2018, Fijiana won the second edition of the Oceania Championship and successfully defended their title after winning all their matches.[5]

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.[6][7]

Fiji played two test matches against Australia and Japan in 2022 at Brisbane.[8][9] It would be their first test match against the Wallaroos and only their second time to meet Japan.[10] Fiji won the 2022 Oceania Rugby Championship in New Zealand.[11][12][13] 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.[14][15]

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.[16][17] They later achieved their first World Cup win when they defeated South Africa 21–17.[18][19] Their win against the Springbok Women moved them up five places to their highest ranking of 16th from 21st.[20][21] France kept Fiji scoreless in their last World Cup match with a score of 44–0.[22][23]

Second World Cup

Fiji qualified for their second Rugby World Cup after winning the 2024 Oceania Rugby Women's Championship.[24][25]

Records

Rugby World Cup

Rugby World Cup
Year Round GP W D L PF PA
Fiji was not invited to any of the World Cups between 1991 and 2006
England 2010 Did not qualify
France 2014
Ireland 2017
New Zealand 2021 Pool stage 3 1 0 2 40 149
England 2025 Qualified
Australia 2029 TBD
United States 2033
Total 1/9 3 1 0 2 40 149
  Champion   Runner-up   Third place   Fourth place
* Tied placing † Best placing Home venue

Overall

See also: List of Fiji women's national rugby union team matches

(Full internationals only, updated to 14 June 2025)

Rugby: Fiji internationals from 2006
Opponent First game Played Won Drawn Lost Win %
 Australia 2022 4 0 0 4 0%
 Canada 2022 1 0 0 1 0%
 Colombia 2023 1 1 0 0 100%
 England 2022 1 0 0 1 0%
 France 2022 1 0 0 1 0%
 Hong Kong 2016 3 1 0 2 33.33%
 Japan 2016 4 1 0 3 25%
 Kazakhstan 2022 1 1 0 0 100%
 Netherlands 2024 1 0 0 1 0%
 Papua New Guinea 2016 5 5 0 0 100%
 Samoa 2006 10 6 0 4 60%
 Scotland 2024 1 0 0 1 0%
 South Africa 2022 1 1 0 0 100%
 Spain 2023 2 0 0 2 0%
 Tonga 2006 6 6 0 0 100%
Summary 2006 42 22 0 20 52.38%

Players

Current squad

Fiji announced their final squad on 9 August 2025 for the Women's Rugby World Cup in England.[26][27]

Note: The age and number of caps listed for each player is as of 22 August 2025, the first day of the tournament.

Player Position Date of birth (age) Caps Club/province
Keleni Marawa Hooker (1990-01-01)1 January 1990 (aged 35) 21 Fiji Fijiana Drua
Selai Naliva Hooker (2005-07-02)2 July 2005 (aged 20) 1
Vika Matarugu Prop (1994-08-02)2 August 1994 (aged 31) 19 Fiji Fijiana Drua
Tiana Robanakadavu Prop (2005-07-17)17 July 2005 (aged 20) 18 Fiji Fijiana Drua
Loraini Senivutu Prop (2003-01-23)23 January 2003 (aged 22) 13 Fiji Fijiana Drua
Bitila Tawake Prop (1999-04-02)2 April 1999 (aged 26) 23 Fiji Fijiana Drua
Bulou Wainikiti Vasuturaga Prop (1991-11-01)1 November 1991 (aged 33) 9
Jade Coates Second row (1998-07-09)9 July 1998 (aged 27) 9 New Zealand Chiefs Manawa
Mereoni Nakesa Second row (2003-02-17)17 February 2003 (aged 22) 23 Fiji Fijiana Drua
Asinate Serevi Second row (1995-04-16)16 April 1995 (aged 30) 27 Fiji Fijiana Drua
Nunia Daunimoala Back row (1999-06-30)30 June 1999 (aged 26) 17 Fiji Fijiana Drua
Alfreda Fisher Maria (c) Back row (2004-05-09)9 May 2004 (aged 21) 8 Fiji Fijiana Drua
Karalaini Naisewa Back row (1994-07-23)23 July 1994 (aged 31) 28 Fiji Fijiana Drua
Adi Salaseini Railumu Back row (2002-11-20)20 November 2002 (aged 22) 4 Fiji Fijiana Drua
Sulita Waisega Back row (2004-03-16)16 March 2004 (aged 21) 24
Carletta Yee Back row (2007-06-21)21 June 2007 (aged 18) 1 Fiji Fijiana Drua
Kolora Lomani Scrum-half (1999-07-22)22 July 1999 (aged 26) 17 Fiji Fijiana Drua
Salanieta Kinita Fly-half (2001-09-14)14 September 2001 (aged 23) 15 Fiji Fijiana Drua
Setaita Railumu Fly-half (2001-04-18)18 April 2001 (aged 24) 20 Fiji Fijiana Drua
Verenaisi Ditavutu Centre (1999-09-07)7 September 1999 (aged 25) 1 Fiji Fijiana 7s
Rusila Nagasau Centre (1987-08-04)4 August 1987 (aged 38) 12 Fiji Fijiana Drua
Alowesi Nakoci Centre (1991-08-18)18 August 1991 (aged 34) 7 Fiji Fijiana Drua
Ilisapeci Delaiwau Wing (2000-06-01)1 June 2000 (aged 25) 5 Fiji Fijiana 7s
Mere Vocevoce Wing (2006-04-04)4 April 2006 (aged 19) 0 Fiji Fijiana 7s
Ema Adivitaloga Fullback (1994-07-27)27 July 1994 (aged 31) 20 Fiji Fijiana Drua
Repeka Tove Fullback (1998-10-17)17 October 1998 (aged 26) 12 Fiji Fijiana Drua
Manuqalo Komaitai Back (1996-07-05)5 July 1996 (aged 29) 2
Kelerayani Luvu Back (2005-11-07)7 November 2005 (aged 19) 0 Fiji Fijiana 7s
Adi Salote Nailolo Back (2006-06-13)13 June 2006 (aged 19) 1
Josifini Neihamu Back (2004-01-29)29 January 2004 (aged 21) 3 Fiji Fijiana Drua
Michella'e Stolz Back (2006-08-11)11 August 2006 (aged 19) 2
Litiana Vueti Back (1998-06-20)20 June 1998 (aged 27) 2 Fiji Fijiana Drua

Award winners

The following Fiji players have been recognised at the World Rugby Awards since 2001:[28]

Coaches

Coach Years Refs
Fiji Seremaia Bai 2016 [29]
Fiji Senirusi Seruvakula 2020–2022 [30]
Fiji Inoke Male 2023 [31]
Fiji Mosese Rauluni 2024 [32]
Wales Ioan Cunningham 2025– [33]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Women's World Rankings". World Rugby. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  2. ^ a b Ratulevu, Pate (5 November 2016). "Women's RWC qualification at Stake in Inaugural Oceania Championship". Official Website of Fiji Rugby Union. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  3. ^ "Fijiana Win Inaugural Oceania Women's Championship". 10 November 2016. Archived from the original on 10 November 2016. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  4. ^ "Japan and Hong Kong qualify for Women's World Cup". www.world.rugby. 13 December 2016. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  5. ^ "Fiji win Oceania Rugby Women's Championship title". 29 November 2021. Archived from the original on 29 November 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  6. ^ "Fiji qualify for Rugby World Cup 2021". www.rugbyworldcup.com. 30 November 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  7. ^ "Fijiana still in awe after qualifying for 2021 RWC". Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. 5 December 2019. Archived from the original on 25 January 2020. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  8. ^ "Rooster Chicken to sponsor Fijiana 15s for two historic test matches while Seruvakula names four new overseas-based players". FijiTimes. 29 April 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  9. ^ "Fiji hope to harness Super W momentum against Japan and Australia". www.rugbyworldcup.com. 29 April 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  10. ^ "Everything you need to know about the Wallaroos Road to New Zealand tests". www.women.rugby. 3 May 2022. Retrieved 9 July 2022.
  11. ^ "Fijiana win Oceania Rugby Womens Championship in a thriller". oceania.rugby. 17 July 2022. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
  12. ^ Deo, Rohit (18 July 2022). "Fijiana 15s win Oceania tournament". FijiTimes. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
  13. ^ Krishant, Naveel (17 July 2022). "Fijiana 15's win Oceania Rugby Women's Championship". www.fijivillage.com. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
  14. ^ Tavi, Karalaini (9 July 2022). "Fijiana trounces PNG". Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 28 January 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  15. ^ Rahiman, Antonio (9 July 2022). "Fijiana thrash PNG in a record 152-0 win". www.fijivillage.com. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  16. ^ Calvert, Lee (8 October 2022). "14-try England overrun Fiji to make Women's Rugby World Cup statement". the Guardian. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  17. ^ "Favourites England hand Fiji 14-try mauling at World Cup". Reuters. 8 October 2022. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  18. ^ "Fiji strike late to snatch first World Cup victory". Reuters. 16 October 2022. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  19. ^ "Thrill-a-minute Fijiana record first-ever Rugby World Cup win". www.women.rugby. 16 October 2022. Archived from the original on 14 January 2025. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  20. ^ Rasekaseka, Marika (17 October 2022). "Fijiana moved to 16th place in World Rugby ranking by beating South Africa". www.fijivillage.com. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  21. ^ Rakautoga, Venina (17 October 2022). "Fijiana moves up in ranking". Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  22. ^ Curuqara, Paulini (24 October 2022). "France in quarter-finals". FijiTimes. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
  23. ^ Baleilevuka, Rusiate (22 October 2022). "Fijiana go down to France 44-0 in their last WRWC match". www.fijivillage.com. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
  24. ^ "Fijiana XV Secures Direct Qualification to Women's Rugby World Cup 2025". oceania.rugby. 2 June 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  25. ^ "History-making Fiji and Hong Kong China move up World Rugby Women's Rankings". www.world.rugby. 3 June 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  26. ^ "Fiji announce squad for Women's RWC 2025". Rugby World Cup. 9 August 2025. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  27. ^ "Fijiana 15s Squad Named for Women's Rugby World Cup in England". Fiji Rugby Union. 9 August 2025. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  28. ^ "Awards Roll of Honour - World Rugby". www.world.rugby. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  29. ^ "Bai ready to lead Fijiana fifteens". The Fiji Times. 20 October 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  30. ^ "Official Website of Fiji Rugby Union » Senirusi Seruvakula appointed as Fijiana XVs Head Coach". www.fijirugby.com. 12 October 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  31. ^ Sakiasi, Alifereti; Naivalurua, Navitalai (24 February 2023). "Inoke Male appointed Fijiana Drua and Fijiana 15's coach". www.fijivillage.com. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  32. ^ Daucakacaka, Jale (11 January 2024). "Rauluni named as Drua Women and Fijiana XV coach". Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  33. ^ Ainsworth, Imogen (27 February 2025). "Former Wales boss Ioan Cunningham appointed Fiji head coach". RugbyPass. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
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