![]() | |||
Nickname(s) | Flying Fijians | ||
---|---|---|---|
Emblem | Palm tree | ||
Union | Fiji Rugby Union | ||
Head coach | Mick Byrne | ||
Captain | Waisea Nayacalevu | ||
Most caps | Nicky Little (71) | ||
Top scorer | Nicky Little (670) | ||
Top try scorer | Vereniki Goneva (22) | ||
Home stadium | ANZ National Stadium | ||
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World Rugby ranking | |||
Current | 8 (as of 25 September 2023) | ||
Highest | 7 (2023) | ||
Lowest | 16 (2011, 2012) | ||
First international | |||
![]() ![]() (Apia, Samoa; 18 August 1924) | |||
Biggest win | |||
![]() ![]() (Apia, Samoa; 10 September 1983) | |||
Biggest defeat | |||
![]() ![]() (Auckland, New Zealand; 10 June 2005) | |||
World Cup | |||
Appearances | 9 (First in 1987) | ||
Best result | Quarterfinals (1987, 2007, 2023) | ||
Medal record | |||
Website | fijirugby.com |
The Fiji national rugby union team represents Fiji in men's international rugby union. Fiji competed in the Pacific Tri-Nations and now competes in its successor tournament Pacific Nations Cup. Fiji also regularly plays test matches during the June and November test windows. They have beaten the major rugby playing sides of Wales, Scotland, Australia, France, Italy, Argentina and England. The only major sides Fiji are yet to beat are New Zealand, South Africa and Ireland.
The "Flying Fijians" as they are nicknamed compete every four years at the Rugby World Cup. Their best performances were the 1987, 2007 and 2023 tournaments when they defeated Argentina, Wales and Australia respectively to reach the quarterfinals.
Fiji is one of the few countries where rugby union is the main sport. There are approximately 80,000 registered players from a total population of around 950,000. One obstacle for Fiji is simply getting their rugby players to play for the national team, as many have contracts in Europe or with Super Rugby teams where the money is far more rewarding. The repatriated salaries of its overseas stars have become an important part of some local economies.
The cibi (pronounced [ˈðimbi]) 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.
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