Fiji Profile

Monday 20th August 2001

Colours: Black and white
Honours: Hong Kong Sevens Champions, Epson Cup holders, World Cup quarter-finals (1987)

Coach: Former New Zealand Maori captain Mac McCallion's preference for the more conservative Nicky Little at fly-half instead of national hero Waisale Serevi might not be popular with some sections of the rugby public in Fiji, the methodical McCallion appears to have instilled a handy team ethic and pragmatism into the squad.

Captain: The Fijian captaincy has been passed around somewhat in recent months, although Waikato and Chiefs hooker Greg Smith appeared to be the main choice for coach McCallion, but in a trial experiment No.8 Alifereti Doviverata was handed the arm-band and there he has remained.

Player(s) to watch: No contest here. Winger Rupeni Caucaunibuca, the youngster who this season took the Super 12 by storm with his amazing displays for the Blues, even keeping All Black Joe Rokocoko on the sidelines due to the magnitude of his own performances.

Profile: Go to the Hong Kong Sevens and there is no doubt who the most popular side is - Fiji by a mile. They are the Harlem Globetrotters of Sevens rugby. After all they have won the title nine times since 1978.

In the full game there has been less success. In 1987 Fiji made the quarter-final of the Rugby World Cup and seemed about to beat France, the eventual Finalists, till Koroduadua lost the ball out of his hand when in full stride.

In 1991 Fiji lost all three and failed to make the 1995 World Cup, but in 1999 they were again in action and again seemed about to beat France when things went awry. They did make the quarter-final play-off, losing 45-24 to England.

But, far from being rugby outcasts, Fiji have a number of players in their fold with Super 12 experience, such as veteran Crusaders wing Marika Vunibaka, Chiefs hooker Greg Smith and the dangerous Highlanders centre pairing of Seru Rabeni and Aisea Tuilevu.

But recently Fijian rugby has battled. One of the problems for Fiji is simply getting their players to play for the country as many have contracts in Europe and Australia where the money is far more rewarding. They are a country in danger of being plundered of their players.

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