Rugby World Cup team profile: Fiji
The Fijian national Rugby Union team, also known as “The Flying Fijians”, is placed in Pool D of the 2011 Rugby World Cup (RWC). Besides Fiji, Pool D includes some heavy hitters of the rugby world like South Africa, Samoa, Namibia and Wales. Pool D is probably
the toughest group in the current RWC because it includes defending champion Spingboks and very strong mid-level teams like Fiji, Samoa and Wales.
Courtesy of their poor performance in the recently concluded International Rugby Board’ (IRB) 2011 Pacific Nations Cup, Fiji has slipped to the 11th place in the IRB’s World Rugby Rankings. Fiji suffered defeats by the hand of Tonga and Japan and landed
in at their lowest ranking ever. Their 36 – 18 win over Samoa was their only victory of the tournament, in which they finished third.
Fiji has played in four Rugby World Cups so far as they did not qualify for the 1995 Rugby World Cup, which was played in South Africa.
Fijian team was one of 12 teams who did not play the qualifiers to participate in the 2011 Rugby World. They secured their 2011 RWC by virtue of their rankings in the IRB top 12 ranked teams of Rugby in the World.
In recent months, their place in the 2011 RWC competition was under scrutiny particularly as the New Zealand government has categorically turned out any chances to relax the traveling sanctions imposed on Fiji following the military coup in the Pacific Island.
IRB is doing its best to reduce the tension between the two parties but the New Zealand government stance on not allowing any Fijian player with military or government connection to participate in the upcoming World Cup isn’t helping the situation.
Nevertheless, Fijian players have strong connections with New Zealand. Some of their players even play for New Zealand’s professional rugby union clubs.
The duo of Albert VuliVuli and Dominiko Waqaniburotu are considered to be the most notable rugby union players produced by Fiji. Dominiko Waqaniburotu plays his professional rugby for New Zealand provincial rugby union side, Waikato in the ITM cup.
Albert VuliVuli started his professional rugby union career in New Zealand. Later he represented the Australian Super Rugby Franchise, Reds, in Super 14 champion. Currently, he plays for the French Top 14 side Racing Metro.
Nicky Little and Mosese Rauluni, with their 11 matches, hold the record of highest number of appearances for Fiji. Little, with his 125 points, which includes 26 penalties, 22 conversions and a drop goal, is the Fiji’s highest point scorer.
Viliame Satala with his four tries is the Fiji top try scorer. The Fiji Rugby Union has announced their shortened 35-man squad for the pre-World Cup test against the All Blacks and the 2011 RWC.
In previous World Cups, Fiji has twice reached the Quarter Finals stage of the tournament. However, this year, their chances are slightly dim and they need an upset to book their place in the second round matches. They will start as favourites against Namibia
and Samoa. However Wales and Springboks are most likely to win their matches against Fiji.
The squad includes:
Campese Ma'afu, Sunia Koto, Deacon Manu (capt), Ifereimi Rawaqa, Sekonaia Kalou, Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Akapusi Qera, Sisa Koyamaibole, Vitori Buatava, Seremaia Bai, Napolioni Nalaga, Ravai Fatiaki, Albert Vulivuli, Vereniki Goneva, Iliesa Keresoni, Setefano
Somoca, Viliame Veikoso, Rupeni Nasiga, Sakiusa Matadigo, Nemia Ranuku, Kini Murimurivalu, Timoci Nagusa, Netani Talei, Waisea Nailago, Adriu Delai, Nicky Little, Leone Nakarawa, Wame Lewaravu, Penijamini Makutu, Gabiriele Lovobalavu, Talemaitoga Tuapati,
Ilikena Bolakoro, Malakai Ravulo, Waisea Luveniyali, Waisele Vatuvoka
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