Fiji at the Rugby World Cup
The Fiji national rugby union team has played in all Rugby World Cup tournaments, except in 1995, when they did not qualify. Their best performances were in the inaugural 1987 tournament and in the 2007 tournament, when they made it to the quarter finals.
Nation | Number of appearances | First appearance | Most recent appearance | Streak | Best result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fiji | 8 | 1987 | 2019 | 6 | Quarter finals, 1987, 2007 |
By position
Rugby World Cup | Qualification | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Year | Round | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | Squad | Pos | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1987 | Quarter-finals | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 72 | 132 | Squad | Invited | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1991 | Pool Stage | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 27 | 63 | Squad | Automatically qualified | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1995 | Did not qualify | 2nd | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 26 | 34 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1999 | Quarter-final play-offs | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 148 | 113 | Squad | 2nd | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 151 | 116 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2003 | Pool Stage | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 98 | 114 | Squad | 1st | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 123 | 80 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2007 | Quarter-finals | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 134 | 173 | Squad | 2nd | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 74 | 83 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2011 | Pool Stage | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 59 | 167 | Squad | Automatically qualified | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2015 | Pool Stage | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 84 | 101 | Squad | 1st | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 108 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2019 | Pool Stage | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 110 | 108 | Squad | 1st | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 101 | 60 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2023 | Automatically qualified | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | Quarter-finals | 32 | 11 | 0 | 21 | 732 | 971 | 20 | 16 | 0 | 4 | 583 | 379 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
By match
1987 Rugby World Cup
Pool 3 games –
Team |
P | W | D | L | PF | PA | tries | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
New Zealand | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 190 | 34 | 30 | 6 |
Fiji | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 56 | 101 | 6 | 2 |
Italy | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 40 | 110 | 5 | 2 |
Argentina | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 49 | 90 | 4 | 2 |
24 May 1987 |
Argentina | 9–28 | Fiji |
---|---|---|
Try: Penalty try Con: Porta Pen: Porta |
Tries: Gale Naivilawasa Nalaga Savai Con: Koroduadua (2) Rokowailoa Pen: Koroduadua (2) |
27 May 1987 |
New Zealand | 74–13 | Fiji |
---|---|---|
Tries: Gallagher (4) Green (4) Kirk Kirwan Penalty try Whetton Con: Fox (10) Pen: Fox (2) |
Try: Cama Pen: Koroduadua (3) |
31 May 1987 |
Fiji | 15–18 | Italy |
---|---|---|
Try: Naivilawasa Con: Koroduadua Pen: Koroduadua (2) Drop: Quro |
Tries: Cuttitta Cucchiella Mascioletti Pen: Collodo Drop: Collodo |
Quarter final
7 June 1987 |
Fiji | 16–31 | France |
---|---|---|
Tries: Qoro Damu Con: Koroduadua Pen: Koroduadua (2) |
Tries: Rodriguez (2) Lorieux Lagisquet Con: Laporte (3) Pen: Laporte (2) Drop: Laporte |
1991 Rugby World Cup
Pool 4 games –
Team |
P | W | D | L | PF | PA | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
France | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 82 | 25 | 6 |
Canada | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 45 | 33 | 4 |
Romania | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 31 | 64 | 2 |
Fiji | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 27 | 63 | 0 |
8 October 1991 |
France | 33–9 | Fiji |
---|---|---|
Tries: Lafond (3), Sella (2), Camberabero Con: Camberabero (3) Pen: Camberabero |
Tries: Naruma Con: Koroduadua Pen: Koroduadua |
12 October 1991 |
Fiji | 15–17 | Romania |
---|---|---|
Pen: Turuva (2) Drop: Rabaka (2), Turuva |
Tries: Ion, Dumitras, Sasu Con: Răcean Pen: Nichitean |
1999 Rugby World Cup
Pool 3 games –
Team |
P | W | D | L | PF | PA | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
France | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 108 | 52 | 9 |
Fiji | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 124 | 68 | 7 |
Canada | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 114 | 82 | 5 |
Namibia | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 42 | 186 | 3 |
1 October 1999 21:00 CEST/GMT+2 (UTC+02) |
Fiji | 67–18 | Namibia |
---|---|---|
Try: Lasagavibau (2) S. Tawake Rauluni Satala Mocelutu Smith Tiko Katalau Con: Serevi (8) Pen: Serevi (2) |
Try: Jacobs Senekal Con: Van Dyk Pen: Van Dyk (2) |
9 October 1999 13:30 CEST/GMT+2 (UTC+02) |
Fiji | 38–22 | Canada |
---|---|---|
Try: Satala (2) Vunibaka Lasagavibau Con: Little (3) Pen: Little (3) Drop: Little |
Try: James Con: Rees Pen: Rees (4) Drop: Rees |
16 October 1999 14:00 CEST/GMT+2 (UTC+02) |
France | 28–19 | Fiji |
---|---|---|
Try: Juillet Dominici Penalty try Con: Dourthe (2) Pen: Dourthe (2) Lamaison |
Try: Uluinayau Con: Little Pen: Little (4) |
Quarter-final play-offs –
20 October 1999 13:00 WEST/GMT+1 (UTC+01) |
England | 45–24 | Fiji |
---|---|---|
Try: Luger Back Beal Greening Con: Dawson Wilkinson Pen: Wilkinson (7) |
Report | Try: Satala Nakauta Tiko Con: Little (3) Pen: Serevi |
2003 Rugby World Cup
Group B games –
Team |
Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | BP | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
France | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 204 | 70 | 4 | 20 |
Scotland | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 102 | 97 | 2 | 14 |
Fiji | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 98 | 114 | 2 | 10 |
United States | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 86 | 125 | 2 | 6 |
Japan | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 79 | 163 | 0 | 0 |
11 October 2003 |
France | 61–18 | Fiji |
---|---|---|
Tries: Dominici (2), Harinordoquy, Jauzion (3), Ibañez Con: Michalak (4) Pen: Michalak (6) |
Tries: Naevo, Caucaunibuca Con: Little Pen: Little (2) |
15 October 2003 |
Fiji | 19–18 | United States |
---|---|---|
Tries: Naevo Con: Little Pen: Little (4) |
Tries: van Zyl, Schubert Con: Hercus Pen: Hercus (2) |
23 October 2003 |
Fiji | 41–13 | Japan |
---|---|---|
Tries: Tuilevu (2), Ligairi (2), Vunibaka Con: Little (2) Pen: Little (4) |
Tries: Miller Con: Miller Pen: Miller Drop: Miller |
1 November 2003 |
Scotland | 22–20 | Fiji |
---|---|---|
Tries: Smith Con: Paterson Pen: Paterson (5) |
Tries: Caucaunibuca (2) Con: Little (2) Pen: Little (2) |
2007 Rugby World Cup
Fiji were placed in Pool B of the 2007 Rugby World Cup along with Wales, Canada, Japan and Australia. After beating Japan and Canada in close matches, Fiji rested several key players against Australia for the crucial game against Wales. Australia defeated Fiji 55–12. Fiji's fate in the tournament came down to a "winner advances" game against Wales which Fiji won 38–34 and qualified for the quarter-finals for the second time. Former Wallaby great Michael Lynagh described the see-sawing match as one of the best matches "of all time". Fiji lost their quarter final match against South Africa, however their above expectations performance in the tournament resulted in them moving up to 9th in the world rankings – their highest ever position.
Pool B games –
Team |
Pld | W | D | L | TF | PF | PA | +/− | BP | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Australia | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 215 | 41 | +174 | 4 | 20 |
Fiji | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 114 | 136 | −22 | 3 | 15 |
Wales | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 23 | 168 | 105 | +63 | 4 | 12 |
Japan | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 64 | 210 | −146 | 1 | 3 |
Canada | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 51 | 120 | −69 | 0 | 2 |
12 September 2007 18:00 |
Japan | 31–35 | Fiji |
---|---|---|
Tries: Thompson (2) 51' c, 78' c Soma 62' m Con: Onishi (2/3) Pen: Onishi (4/4) 18', 30', 40+', 43' |
Report | Tries: Qera (2) 36' c, 49' c Rabeni 56' m Leawere 71' c Con: Little (3/4) Pen: Little (3/3) 4', 55', 74' |
16 September 2007 14:00 |
Fiji | 29–16 | Canada |
---|---|---|
Tries: Leawere 22' c Ratuvou (2) 28' m, 80+' c Delasau 42' c Con: Little (3/4) Pen: Little (1/3) 8' |
Report | Tries: Smith 60' c Con: Pritchard (1/1) Pen: Pritchard (3/4) 4', 27', 74' |
23 September 2007 14:30 |
Australia | 55–12 | Fiji |
---|---|---|
Tries: Giteau (2) 17' c, 36' m Mitchell (3) 31' c, 70' c, 79' m Ashley-Cooper 57' c Hoiles 74' m Con: Giteau (4/6) Pen: Giteau (3/3) 28', 42', 50' Drop: Barnes (1/1) 44' |
Report | Tries: Neivua 40+' m Ratuva 47' c Con: Bai (1/1) |
29 September 2007 17:00 |
Wales | 34–38 | Fiji |
---|---|---|
Try: Popham 34' c S. Williams 45' c G. Thomas 48' m M. Jones 51' c M. Williams 73' m Con: Hook (1/1) S. Jones (2/4) Pen: S. Jones (1/2) 5' |
Report | Tries: Qera 16' c Delasau 19' m Leawere 25' c Dewes 77' c Con: Little (3/4) Pen: Little (4/5) 21', 24', 54', 60' |
Quarter finals match-
7 October 2007 15:00 |
South Africa | 37–20 | Fiji |
---|---|---|
Tries: Fourie 13' m Smit 35' m Pietersen 51' c Smith 70' c James 80' c Con: Montgomery (3/5) Pen: Steyn (1/1) 8' Montgomery (1/2) 63' |
Report | Tries: Delasau 57' c Bobo 59' c Con: Bai (2/2) Pen: Bai (2/2) 26', 44' |
2011 Rugby World Cup
Team |
Pld | W | D | L | TF | PF | PA | +/− | BP | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
South Africa | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 166 | 24 | +142 | 2 | 18 |
Wales | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 23 | 180 | 34 | +146 | 3 | 15 |
Samoa | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 91 | 49 | +42 | 2 | 10 |
Fiji | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 59 | 167 | −108 | 1 | 5 |
Namibia | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 44 | 266 | −222 | 0 | 0 |
10 September 2011 | Fiji | 49–25 | Namibia | International Stadium, Rotorua |
17 September 2011 | South Africa | 49–3 | Fiji | Regional Stadium, Wellington |
25 September 2011 | Fiji | 7–27 | Samoa | Eden Park, Auckland |
2 October 2011 | Wales | 66–0 | Fiji | Waikato Stadium, Hamilton |
2015 Rugby World Cup
Team |
Pld | W | D | L | TF | PF | PA | +/− | BP | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Australia | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 141 | 35 | +106 | 1 | 17 |
Wales | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 111 | 62 | +49 | 1 | 13 |
England | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 16 | 133 | 75 | +58 | 3 | 11 |
Fiji | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 84 | 101 | –17 | 1 | 5 |
Uruguay | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 30 | 226 | –196 | 0 | 0 |
18 September 2015 | England | 35–11 | Fiji | Twickenham Stadium, London |
23 September 2015 | Australia | 28–13 | Fiji | Millennium Stadium, Cardiff |
1 October 2015 | Wales | 23–13 | Fiji | Millennium Stadium, Cardiff |
6 October 2015 | Fiji | 47–15 | Uruguay | Stadium mk, Milton Keynes |
2019 Rugby World Cup
Team |
Pld | W | D | L | TF | PF | PA | +/− | BP | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wales | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 136 | 69 | +67 | 3 | 19 |
Australia | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 20 | 136 | 68 | +68 | 4 | 16 |
Fiji | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 17 | 110 | 108 | +2 | 3 | 7 |
Georgia | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 65 | 122 | −57 | 1 | 5 |
Uruguay | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 60 | 140 | −80 | 0 | 4 |
21 September 2019 13:45 JST (UTC+09) |
(1 BP) Australia | 39–21 | Fiji |
---|---|---|
Try: Hooper 18' c Hodge 36' m Latu (2) 57' m, 62' m Kerevi 69' c Koroibete 73' c Con: Lealiifano (1/2) 19' To'omua (2/3) 70', 74' Pen: Hodge (1/1) 51' |
Report | Try: Yato 9' m Nayacalevu 44' c Con: Volavola (1/2) 46' Pen: Volavola (3/3) 5', 23', 31' |
25 September 2019 14:15 JST (UTC+09) |
(2 BP) Fiji | 27–30 | Uruguay |
---|---|---|
Try: Dolokoto 8' m Mawi 19' c Ratuniyarawa 48' m Matawalu (2) 67' m, 80+1' m Con: J. Matavesi (1/3) 20' |
Report | Try: Arata 14' c Diana 22' c Cat 26' c Con: Berchesi (3/3) 15', 23', 28' Pen: Berchesi (3/4) 38', 61', 76' |
3 October 2019 14:15 JST (UTC+09) |
Georgia | 10–45 | Fiji (1 BP) |
---|---|---|
Try: Gorgodze 53' c Con: Matiashvili (1/1) 55' Pen: Matiashvili (1/2) 35' |
Report | Try: Nayacalevu 20' c Lomani 45' m Tuisova 50' m Radradra (2) 61' c, 76' c Kunatani 68' c Ratuniyarawa 70' c Con: Volavola (5/7) 21', 63', 70', 72', 77' |
9 October 2019 18:45 JST (UTC+09) |
(1 BP) Wales | 29–17 | Fiji |
---|---|---|
Try: Adams (3) 18' c, 31' c, 61' m L. Williams 69' c Con: Biggar (2/2) 20', 32' Patchell (1/2) 70' Pen: Patchell (1/1) 58' |
Report | Try: Tuisova 4' m Murimurivalu 9' m Penalty try 54' |
Hosting
So far Fiji has not hosted any World Cup games, and has not put in bids for future tournaments. Due to the lack of facilities, and the small size of the island nation, but hopefully it will host it in the near future.
References
- Davies, Gerald (2004) The History of the Rugby World Cup (Sanctuary Publishing Ltd, (ISBN 1860746020)
- Farr-Jones, Nick, (2003). Story of the Rugby World Cup, Australian Post Corporation, (ISBN 0-642-36811-2)