Solomon Islands national rugby union team

The Solomon Islands national rugby union team represent Solomon Islands in the sport of rugby union.

Solomon Islands
UnionSolomon Islands Rugby Union Federation
Head coachCorey Chapman
First colours
World Rugby ranking
Current99 (as of 23 November 2020)
First international
Papua New Guinea 23–5 Solomon Islands
(18 August 1969)
Biggest win
Solomon Islands 61–7 Nauru
(27 August 2019)
Biggest defeat
Solomon Islands 3–113 Fiji
(21 August 1969)

They played their first internationals as part of the 3rd South Pacific Games in Port Moresby, beginning with a 5–23 loss to host team Papua New Guinea on 18 August 1969. Their first wins came soon after; 36-0 over Wallis and Futuna and 28-12 against New Caledonia to win the bronze medal.[1] Since then have played in only a small number of internationals, but did win bronze again in Port Moresby at the 9th South Pacific Games.

Solomon Islands have yet to qualify for the Rugby World Cup finals. The team did take part in the qualifying tournaments in Oceania for the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia, and the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France, but did not end up qualifying.

History

In November and December 2011, Solomon Islands competed in the Eastern Regional Pool of the 2011 FORU Oceania Cup. All matches were played at Lloyd Robson Oval in Port Moresby. In their first match, on 29 November, Solomon Islands recorded a notable 22-19 victory over the more fancied former champions Niue.[2] This was followed by a 33-15 loss to host nation, Papua New Guinea.[3] In their final pool match, Solomon Islands defeated Vanuatu 48-20 to finish second in the pool, behind Papua New Guinea. This victory set a new record winning margin for the Solomon Islands, eclipsing the previous best of 11-3, also against Vanuatu, in 2001. By virtue of their wins at the tournament, Solomon Islands climbed to an all-time high of 69th position on the IRB World Rankings, overtaking Niue in the process.[4]

Record

World Cup

World Cup record
Year Qualification status
1987Not invited
1991Did not enter
1995Did not enter
1999Did not enter
2003Did not qualify
2007Did not qualify
2011Did not enter
2015Did not qualify
2019Did not qualify

Overall

Against Played Won Lost Drawn % Won
 American Samoa10100.00
 Cook Islands10100.00
 Fiji20200.00
 Nauru1100100.00
 New Caledonia211050.00
 Niue321066.66
 Papua New Guinea80800.00
 Tahiti431075.00
 Tonga10100.00
 Vanuatu431075.00
 Wallis and Futuna1100100.00
Total281117039.29

Current squad

On July 30, the 31-man squad was selected for the 2019 Oceania Rugby Cup.

Player Position Date of birth (age) Club
Lavern Tuhatangata Hooker Matangiki Rugby Club
Rodney Kavamauri Hooker (1983-02-18) 18 February 1983 TIA Rugby Club
Kasoa Watkin Prop (1984-08-22) 22 August 1984 TIA Rugby Club
Micky Tufunga Prop TIA Rugby Club
Sifina Rukia Prop Islanders Rugby Club
Huddy Hou Prop (1988-04-18) 18 April 1988 Matangiki Rugby Club
Edward Tangimoana Prop Matangiki Rugby Club
Ezekiel Mana Prop Islanders Rugby Club
Sunigeva Nasiu Lock Avaiki Rugby Club
Jack Akao Lock Henderson Hammerheads
Eddie Aete'e Lock Sosa Rugby Club
Kevin Muna Lock TIA Rugby Club
Sonney Delaiverata Lock Henderson Hammerheads
Daniel Saomatangi Flanker Avaiki Rugby Club
PJ Lakoa Flanker Diesel Rugby Club
Saga Sade Samani Flanker Henderson Hammerheads
Vince Tohuika Flanker Matangiki Rugby Club
Castro Teaheniu Number 8 Matangiki Rugby Club
Paul Tema Number 8 University of Queensland
Felix Galo Scrum-half Henderson Hammerheads
Charlie Tenge Scrum-half Police Rugby Club
Ronnie Saomatangi Fly-half TIA Rugby Club
Edwin John Fly-half Matangiki Rugby Club
Roman Tongaka Centre Avaiki Rugby Club
Laban Taika Centre Matangiki Rugby Club
Moana Tepuke Centre Matangiki Rugby Club
Bobby Sade Centre Henderson Hammerheads
Timo Sanga Wing Avaiki Rugby Club
Eddie Sanga Wing Avaiki Rugby Club
Chris Saru Wing (1993-06-23) 23 June 1993 Henderson Hammerheads
Mathew Qwaina Fullback Henderson Hammerheads
Moses Sinugamoana Fullback Avaiki Rugby Club

References

  1. "Complete results 3rd South Pacific Games". Pacific Islands Monthly. Pacific Publications. 40 (9): 36–37. 1 September 1969.
  2. "Sport: First round wins for PNG and Solomons in Oceania Rugby Cup". Radio New Zealand International. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
  3. "Pukpuks Rise". The National, Sport. The National. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
  4. "Solomon Islands climb to new high in rankings". Federation of Oceania Rugby Unions. Federation of Oceania Rugby Unions. Archived from the original on 22 January 2012. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
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