The Fiji Warriors, also referred to as Fiji A, is a national representative rugby team of rugby union in Fiji. It is the second-tier side to the Fiji national team. The Warriors team is selected from players in the Fijian domestic competitions and competes in the World Rugby Pacific Challenge against Samoa A and Tonga A.[1] Since 2016, the Fiji Warriors team has played in the Americas Pacific Challenge against national A teams from North and South America.
| Union | Fiji Rugby Union | |
|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Warriors, Fiji A | |
| Emblem(s) | the Palm | |
| Coach(es) | Senirusi Seruvakula | |
| ||
History
editFiji's national A team has made several tours to South America, the earliest being in 2003 where they defeated Uruguay by 24–3 in Montevideo.[2] But the history of the second national team can be traced back almost half a century earlier to 1955 when a Fiji XV side undertook a two-week tour of Samoa and was undefeated in all three matches played.[3]
The Fiji Warriors first played in the Pacific Rugby Cup in 2006, but the team was one of two Fijian sides in the competition for the first five years – the other being the Fiji Barbarians – and so it was not considered to be Fiji A for that period.
In 2010, Fiji A played two matches against 
Tonga A in the first Punjas Series. The team had one win and one loss but claimed the series on aggregate scores.[4] This result was repeated in the second (and concluding) Punjas Series in 2011.[5]
The Pacific Rugby Cup was reorganised in 2011, with Fiji Warriors becoming the sole Fijian representative in the PRC, which has since been mainly contested by national 'A' teams. From 2011 onward the Fiji Warriors team has effectively been Fiji A.
In 2012, the Fiji A team toured to Ireland where they suffered one of their heaviest defeats, beaten 53–0 at Limerick by the
Ireland Wolfhounds.[6]
At the 2015 World Rugby Pacific Challenge, the Fiji Warriors were the runner-up, with wins over Junior Japan and Samoa A and two defeats against the Argentine Pampas XV. In May 2015, the Fiji Warriors made a South American tour to play Uruguay and an Argentina XV, winning all three matches. In 2016, it played World Rugby Pacific Challenge and also World Rugby Americas Pacific Challenge.
Squads
edit2011
edit- Waisea Daveta*
- Viliame Veikoso*
- Setefano Somoca*
- Sekonaia Kalou*
- Tevita Cavubati**
- Aca Ratuva**
- Jimilai Naikadawa**
- Anare Koliavu
- Nemia Kenatale*
- Taniela Rawaqa**
- Isoa Neivua**
- Ravai Fatiaki*
- Jo Naisilisili**
- Campese Ma'afu*
- Navi Bolatagici
- Penijamini Makutu**
- Apisalome Ratuniyarawa
- Rupeni Nasiga*
- Timoci Vakadranu
- Samu Bola**
- Waisale Vatuvoka
- Jonetani Ralulu**
- Jona Tuitoga
- Paula Tiko
- Adriu Delai**
- Paula Karatu.
Notes
- * denotes players who were in the Fiji 2011 RWC squad.
- ** denotes players who have played for Fiji in a Test.
- *** denotes players who have played 7s for Fiji in the IRB Series.
2015
editFiji Warriors 28-man squad for the uncapped June matches against Uruguay and Pampas XV, acting as 2015 Rugby World Cup warm-ups for all three nations. The team will be coached by Senirusi Seruvakula, who will work closely with the national head coach John McKee.[7]
Warriors Head Coach: 
Senirusi Seruvakula
- Caps Updated: 15 May 2015
Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.
| Player | Position | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Club/province |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sireli Ledua (c) | Hooker | 12 December 1985 | 6 | Northland
|
| Jale Sassen | Hooker | 6 September 1992 | 0 | Tailevu
|
| Seru Cakobau | Hooker | 22 May 1988 | 0 | Nadroga
|
| Leeroy Atalifo | Prop | 10 March 1988 | 1 | Suva
|
| Taniela Koroi | Prop | 8 February 1990 | 1 |  Wellington
|
| Peni Ravai | Prop | 16 June 1990 | 2 | Nadroga
|
| Kirwan Sanday | Prop | 13 February 1991 | 0 |  Easts Tigers
|
| Joeli Veitayaki Jr. | Prop | 0 | Naitasiri
| |
| Apisai Naikatini | Lock | 4 April 1985 | 18 | Wellington
|
| Savenaca Tabakanalagi | Lock | 31 August 1986 | 0 | Suva
|
| Mataiasi Ucutabua | Lock | 0 | Vatukoula
| |
| Meli Baivatu | Flanker | 2 April 1993 | 0 | Vatukoula
|
| Jone Dyer | Flanker | 0 | Vatukoula
| |
| Malakai Namalo | Flanker | 0 | Vatukoula
| |
| Timoci Sauvoli | Flanker | 0 | Nadroga
| |
| Jolame Bera | Number 8 | 1 February 1984 | 0 | Suva
|
| Serupepeli Vularika | Scrum-half | 0 | Suva
| |
| Emori Waqa | Scrum-half | 24 April 1993 | 0 | Tailevu
|
| Isoa Donaldson | Fly-half | 13 September 1986 | 0 | Nadroga
|
| Kini Douglas | Fly-half | 5 January 1994 | 0 | Naitasiri
|
| Saimoni Tuilaucala | Centre | 0 | Tavua
| |
| John Stewart | Centre | 0 | Suva
| |
| Eroni Vasiteri | Centre | 27 May 1989 | 0 | Nadroga
|
| Nacani Wakaya | Wing | 0 | Suva
| |
| Josaia Qumi | Wing | 0 | Vatukoula
| |
| Sam Speight | Wing | 3 October 1985 | 0 | Lautoka
|
| Kitione Ratu | Fullback | 0 | Vatukoula
| |
| Tikilaci Vuibau | Fullback | 14 August 1992 | 0 | Northland
|
Record
editHonours
editPacific Challenge (formerly the Pacific Rugby Cup)
- Champion: (9) 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019.
- Runner-up: (4) 2006, 2014, 2015, 2020.
- Runner-up: (1) 2016
Season standings
editPacific Challenge
Year Pos Pld W D L F A +/- TB LB Pts Final Notes 2020 2nd 3 2 0 1 88 26 +62 2 0 10 — Runner-up on league table (no final) 2019 1st 3 3 0 0 170 54 +116 3 0 15 — Title winner on league table (no final) 2018 1st 3 3 0 0 118 31 +87 3 0 15 — Title winner on league table (no final) 2017 1st 3 3 0 0 125 71 +54 2 0 15 — Title winner on league table (no final) 2016 1st 3 3 0 0 134 34 +100 3 0 15 36–0 Won final against 
Samoa A
2015 2nd 3 2 0 1 145 42 +103 2 1 11 9–17 Lost final to Argentina's Pampas XV 2014 3rd 3 2 0 1 154 59 95 2 1 11 — Won 3rd play-off 54–21 against 
Tonga A
2013 1st 6 2 2 2 118 155 -37 2 0 14 — Title winner on league table (no final) 2012 1st 8 7 0 1 205 165 40 3 0 31 — Title winner on league table (no final) 2011 1st 8 4 0 4 144 201 -57 0 1 17 — Title winner on league table (no final) 2010 1st 5 4 0 1 155 73 +82 2 1 19 26–17 Won final against Fiji Barbarians 2009 2nd 5 3 0 2 168 89 +79 3 2 17 19–7 Won final against Upolu Samoa 2008 6th 5 1 0 4 70 104 −34 0 3 7 — Did not compete in finals 2007 4th 5 2 0 3 93 90 +3 0 1 11 — Did not compete in finals 2006 2nd 5 3 1 1 112 72 +40 1 1 17 5–10 Lost final to Savaii Samoa
Americas Pacific Challenge
Year Pos Pld W D L F A +/- TB LB Pts Final Notes 2016 2nd 3 2 0 1 127 65 +62 4 0 12 — Runner-up on league table (no final)
International results
editThis section needs expansion with: updated results. You can help by adding to it. (November 2016) |
Matches against national teams or national 'A" teams since 2010 up to and including the 2015 tour to Uruguay:
16-04-2010 (PS) Fiji A 12–27 Tonga ANational Stadium, Suva 23-04-2010 (PS) Fiji A 21–3 Tonga AChurchill Park, Lautoka 19-03-2011 (PRC) Fiji Warriors 21–14 Tonga AChurchill Park, Lautoka 22-03-2011 (PRC) Samoa A12–23 Fiji Warriors Churchill Park, Lautoka 13-08-2011 (PS) Fiji A 27–12 Tonga AChurchill Park, Lautoka 19-08-2011 (PS) Fiji A 30–32 Tonga AChurchill Park, Lautoka 15-10-2012 (PRC) Fiji Warriors 42–34 Samoa ATeufaiva Stadium, Nuku'alofa 19-10-2012 (PRC) Tonga A16–25 Fiji Warriors Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku'alofa 17-11-2012 
Ireland Wolfhounds53–0 Fiji Warriors Thomond Park, Limerick 18-03-2014 (PRC) 
Junior Japan13–99 Fiji Warriors Bond University, Gold Coast 23-03-2014 (PRC) Fiji Warriors 54–21 Tonga ATG Milner Oval, Sydney 10-03-2015 (PRC) Fiji Warriors 20–22 Pampas XV National Stadium, Suva 14-03-2015 (PRC) Fiji Warriors 83–0 Junior JapanNational Stadium, Suva 18-03-2015 (PRC) Fiji Warriors 42–20 Samoa ANational Stadium, Suva 23-03-2015 (PRC) Fiji Warriors 9–17 Pampas XV National Stadium, Suva 23-05-2015 Uruguay 22–30 Fiji Warriors Estadio Charrúa, Montevideo 27-05-2015 
Argentina XV21–23 Fiji Warriors Estadio Suppici, Colonia del Sacramento
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ "PRC 2012 set for kick-off". Fiji Rugby. 10 February 2012. Archived from the original on 6 November 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2012.
- ^ Fiji XV Tour - Montevideo. ESPN. 13 August 2003.
- ^ Fiji XV tour 1955. ESPN.
- ^ Match 2 Report Fiji Live.
- ^ Fiji lose but claim Punjas Series Archived 2 February 2015 at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ Fiji XV Tour - Limerick, 17 November 2012. ESPN.
- ^ Seruvakula Names Team to Uruguay
External links
edit- 2014 Pacific Rugby Cup News on oceaniarugby.com