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

Map of nations best results, excluding nations which unsuccessfully participated in qualifying tournaments.

By position

Rugby World Cup										Qualification
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
Champions       Runners-up       Third place       Fourth place Home venue

By match

1987 Rugby World Cup

Main article: 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)

Rugby Park, Hamilton Referee: Jim Fleming

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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)

Lancaster Park, Christchurch Attendance: 26,000 Referee: Derek Bevan

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31 May 1987

Fiji	15–18	Italy
Try: Naivilawasa Con: Koroduadua Pen: Koroduadua (2) Drop: Quro		Tries: Cuttitta Cucchiella Mascioletti Pen: Collodo Drop: Collodo

Carisbrook, Dunedin Referee: Keith Lawrence

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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

Eden Park, Auckland Referee: Clive Norling

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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

5 October 1991

Canada	13–3	Fiji
Tries: Stewart Pen: Rees (3)		Drop: Serevi

Stade Jean Dauger, Bayonne Referee: Kerry Fitzgerald

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8 October 1991

France	33–9	Fiji
Tries: Lafond (3), Sella (2), Camberabero Con: Camberabero (3) Pen: Camberabero		Tries: Naruma Con: Koroduadua Pen: Koroduadua

Stade Lesdiguières, Grenoble Referee: Derek Bevan

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12 October 1991

Fiji	15–17	Romania
Pen: Turuva (2) Drop: Rabaka (2), Turuva		Tries: Ion, Dumitras, Sasu Con: Răcean Pen: Nichitean

Parc Municipal des Sports, Brive Referee: Owen Doyle

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1999 Rugby World Cup

Main article: 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)

Stade de la Méditerranée, Béziers Attendance: 10,000 Referee: David McHugh (Ireland)

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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

Parc Lescure, Bordeaux Attendance: 27,000 Referee: Ed Morrison (England)

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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)

Stade de Toulouse Attendance: 36,000 Referee: Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand)

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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

Twickenham, London Attendance: 55,000 Referee: Clayton Thomas (Wales)

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2003 Rugby World Cup

Main article: 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)

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Attendance: 46,795 Referee: Alain Rolland

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15 October 2003

Fiji	19–18	United States
Tries: Naevo Con: Little Pen: Little (4)		Tries: van Zyl, Schubert Con: Hercus Pen: Hercus (2)

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Attendance: 30,990 Referee: Joël Jutge

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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

Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville Attendance: 17,269 Referee: Nigel Whitehouse

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1 November 2003

Scotland	22–20	Fiji
Tries: Smith Con: Paterson Pen: Paterson (5)		Tries: Caucaunibuca (2) Con: Little (2) Pen: Little (2)

Aussie Stadium, Sydney Attendance: 37,137 Referee: Tony Spreadbury

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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'

Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse Attendance: 34,500 Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa)

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'

Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Attendance: 45,000 Referee: Tony Spreadbury (England)

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)

Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier Attendance: 32,231 Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)

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'

Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes Attendance: 37,080 Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)

Quarter finals match-

Main article: 2007 Rugby World Cup knockout stage

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'

Stade Vélodrome, Marseille Attendance: 55,943 Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland)

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2011 Rugby World Cup

Main article: 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

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2015 Rugby World Cup

Main article: 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

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2019 Rugby World Cup

Main article: 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'

Sapporo Dome, Sapporo Attendance: 36,482 Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)

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'

Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium, Kamaishi Attendance: 14,025 Referee: Pascal Gaüzère (France)

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'

Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Higashiōsaka Attendance: 21,069 Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)

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'

Oita Stadium, Ōita Attendance: 33,379 Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)

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)