Pacific Islanders rugby union team

The Pacific Islanders was a combined international rugby union team that played from 2004 to 2008. It represented Fiji, Samoa and Tonga; Niue and the Cook Islands also supplied players to the squad for the Pacific Islanders' tour in 2004, despite not being members of the Pacific Tri-Nations competition. The team did not play at Rugby World Cups, where each of the nations continued to represent themselves.

Pacific Islanders
UnionPacific Islands Rugby Alliance
Fiji Rugby Union
Samoa Rugby Football Union
Tonga Rugby Football Union
Coach(es) Quddus Fielea (2008)
Captain(s) Moses Rauluni (2008)
Team kit
First match
Queensland Reds 29 - 48 Pacific Islanders
(20 June 2004)
Largest win
NSW Waratahs 21 - 68 Pacific Islanders
(25 June 2004)
Largest defeat
Ireland 61 - 17 Pacific Islanders
(26 November 2006)

History

Australia/New Zealand 2004

The Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance (PIRA) was formed in 2003. The coach is appointed by the Islanders board and in turn supported by the national coaches of Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. Its team, the Pacific Islanders, is drawn from the best Fijian, Tongan and Samoan players, and created far more interest on their inaugural 2004 tour than any of the three nations could have hoped to individually. Despite losing every game, 29-14 v Australia, 41-26 v New Zealand and 38-24 v South Africa, they were impressive in all three Tests and played full-strength teams, something that rarely happens when major nations play Tonga, Fiji or Samoa. The Islanders did, however, beat a Queensland XV 48-29 at Ballymore and NSW Waratahs 68-21 at Australia Stadium.

Celtic Nations 2006
The Pacific Islanders before their match against Scotland

As the individual nations were primarily concerned with qualifying for the next World Cup the Islanders did not tour again until 2006. Scheduled matches against Italy and New Zealand in June 2006 did not take place, but they undertook a Northern Hemisphere tour in late 2006 with matches against Scotland, Wales and Ireland. PIRA had ruled in July 2006 that the team selected for that year's tour to Great Britain and Ireland would consist only of players who had previously played for Fiji, Manu Samoa or Tonga. This was intended to ensure that the Pacific Islanders team serves to develop players for the island nations only. Notably, two players on the 2004 tour, Sione Lauaki and Sitiveni Sivivatu (the latter the Islanders' leading scorer on that tour), went on to play for the All Blacks.[1] During that tour, they were the last opponents of Ireland at their traditional home of Lansdowne Road before its redevelopment into a modern all-seater stadium. The Pacific Islanders were beaten in all three matches.

Europe 2008

In November 2008, the team toured Europe and played Tests against England, France and Italy. The team's manager was Major-General Sitiveni Rabuka, former Prime Minister of Fiji and author of two military coups in 1987.[2] Though it began with two defeats, the tour ended with the Islanders' first ever win over European opposition, with a 25-17 victory in Italy.[3]

Alliance ends in 2009

In July 2009, the Samoa Rugby Union informed fellow Alliance members Fiji and Tonga that it had decided to quit the alliance because the merged Pacific Island team had failed to produce financial benefits sought by member unions.[4]

The original concept was basically to provide an opportunity (to play) every two years. There were two aims, to get revenue to help in the running of the activities of the unions (and) to provide players with the opportunity to play against tier one sides. But the International Rugby Board changed the schedule for the Pacific Islands team to play every four years. Every four years won't generate the revenue needed to run our rugby.

— Peter Schuster, SRU Chairman, 2009[4]

Future status

There was much speculation about what role the Islanders would play in international rugby. Many hoped that they would be admitted into an expanded Super 12 competition or perhaps the Tri Nations. These hopes were dashed when the organisers of the Super 12 and the Tri Nations, SANZAR, opted to expand the Super 14 by adding one team each in Australia and South Africa and add an extra round of fixtures to the Tri Nations without adding any new teams. French businessman Eric Series, owner of the Asia Pacific Dragons team,[5] proposed a Pacific Islands team for the 2016 Super Rugby season but was outbid by the Japan Rugby Football Union.[6]

In 2014, a match between the Pacific Islanders and the British and Irish Lions was proposed for the 2017 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand.[7] Ultimately, however, no such match was scheduled.[8]

Squad
The squad for the 2008 tour to Europe

Note: Flags indicate national union affiliation of the registered club as has been defined under WR eligibility rules.

Player Position Club
Tani Fuga Hooker Harlequins
Sunia Koto Hooker London Welsh
Aleki Lutui Hooker Worcester Warriors
Tonga Lea'aetoa Prop London Irish
Census Johnston Prop Saracens
Kas Lealamanua Prop Dax
Kisi Pulu Prop Perpignan
Justin Va'a Prop Glasgow Warriors
Paino Hehea Lock Racing Métro
Kele Leawere Lock Hino Motors
Filipo Levi Lock Ricoh Black Rams
Hale T-Pole Lock Suntory Sungoliath
Nili Latu (vc) Flanker Green Rockets
Semisi Naevo Flanker Green Rockets
George Stowers Flanker Kobelco Steelers
Viliami Vaki Flanker Perpignan
Sisa Koyamaibole Number 8 Toulon
Finau Maka Number 8 Toulouse
Player Position Club
Sililo Martens Scrum-half Sale Sharks
Mosese Rauluni (c) Scrum-half Saracens
Seremaia Bai Fly-half Clermont
Pierre Hola Fly-half Kobelco Steelers
Seilala Mapusua Centre London Irish
Seru Rabeni Centre Leicester Tigers
Epi Taione Centre Harlequins
Vilimoni Delasau Wing Montauban
Napolioni Nalaga Wing Clermont
Sailosi Tagicakibau Wing London Irish
Kameli Ratuvou Fullback Saracens
Gavin Williams Fullback Dax
  • Two further players were originally included in the squad Sireli Bobo and Soane Tonga'uiha. However Bobo became unavailable, and Tonga'uiha later withdrew from the tour.

Results

2004
20 June 2004
Queensland XV 29 – 48 Pacific Islanders
Tries: Junior Pelesasa (2), Peter Hynes, Mafi Kefu
Con: Marshall Milroy (3)
Pen: Marshall Milroy		 Tries: Sitiveni Sivivatu (3), Seremaia Bai, Sireli Bobo, Lome Fa'atau, Norman Ligairi, Taufa'ao Filise
Con: Seremaia Bai (4)
Ballymore, Brisbane
Attendance: 3,000
Referee: George Ayoub
25 June 2004
New South Wales 21 – 68 Pacific Islanders
Tries: Morgan Turinui, Tim McGann, Milton Thaiday
Con: Matthew Burke (3)		 Tries: Sitiveni Sivivatu (2), Taufa'ao Filise (2), Seilala Mapusua (2), Seremaia Bai, Sisa Koyamaibole, Soane Tonga'uiha, Lome Fa'atau
Con: Seremaia Bai (9)
Aussie Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 8,005
Referee: Greg Hinton
3 July 2004
Australia  29 – 14 Pacific Islanders
Tries: Stirling Mortlock (2), Matt Giteau (2), Brendan Cannon
Con: Joe Roff, Matthew Burke		 Tries: Sione Lauaki, Sireli Bobo
Con: Seremaia Bai (2)
Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Attendance: 19,266
Referee: André Watson

Australia: 15.Joe Roff, 14.Clyde Rathbone, 13.Stirling Mortlock, 12.Matt Giteau, 11.Lote Tuqiri, 10.Stephen Larkham, 9.George Gregan (capt), 8.David Lyons, 7.Phil Waugh, 6.Radike Samo, 5.Nathan Sharpe, 4.Justin Harrison, 3.Al Baxter, 2.Brendan Cannon, 1.Bill Young, - replacements: 16.Jeremy Paul, 17.Nic Henderson, 18.Dan Vickerman , 19.George Smith, 20.Chris Whitaker, 21.Matt Burke, 22.Chris Latham
Pacific Islanders: 15.Norman Ligairi, 14.Lome Fa'atau, 13.Seilala Mapusua, 12.Seremaia Baikeinuku, 11.Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10.Tanner Vili, 9.Moses Rauluni, 8.Alifereti Doviverata, 7.Sisa Koyamaibole, 6.Sione Lauaki, 5.Ifereimi Rawaqa, 4.Inoke Afeaki (capt), 3.Taufa'ao Filise, 2.Aleki Lutui, 1.Soane Tonga'uiha, - replacements: 17.Tevita Taumoepeau, 18.Leo Lafaiali'i, 19.Semo Sititi, 20.Steve So'oialo, 21.Seru Rabeni, 22.Sireli Bobo - No entry: 16.Joeli Lotawa

10 July 2004
New Zealand  41 – 26 Pacific Islanders
Tries: Joe Rokocoko (2), Justin Marshall, Rico Gear, Kees Meeuws, Tana Umaga
Con: Daniel Carter (4)
Pen: Daniel Carter		 Tries: Sitiveni Sivivatu (2), Seru Rabeni, Sione Lauaki
Con: Seremaia Bai (3)
North Harbour Stadium, Albany
Attendance: 22,000
Referee: Stuart Dickinson

New Zealand: 15.Mils Muliaina, 14.Rico Gear, 13.Tana Umaga (capt.), 12.Dan Carter, 11.Joe Rokocoko, 10.Carlos Spencer, 9.Justin Marshall, 8.Xavier Rush, 7.Marty Holah, 6.Jono Gibbes, 5.Keith Robinson, 4.Chris Jack, 3.Carl Hayman, 2.Keven Mealamu, 1.Kees Meeuws, - replacements: 18.Jerry Collins, 20.Byron Kelleher, 21.Nick Evans - No entry : 16.Andrew Hore, 17.Greg Somerville, 19.Mose Tuiali'i, 22.Sam Tuitupou
Pacific Islanders: 15.Seru Rabeni, 14.Lome Fa'atau, 13.Brian Lima, 12.Seremaia Baikeinuku, 11.Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10.Tanner Vili, 9.Moses Rauluni, 8.Sisa Koyamaibole, 7.Alifereti Doviverata, 6.Sione Lauaki, 5.Ifereimi Rawaqa, 4.Inoke Afeaki (capt.), 3.Taufa'ao Filise, 2.Aleki Lutui, 1.Soane Tonga'uiha, - replacements: 17.Tevita Taumoepeau, 18.Filipo Levi, 19.Semo Sititi, 19.Semo Sititi, 21.Tane Tu'ipulotu, 22.Sireli Bobo - No entry: 16.Joeli Lotawa, 20.Steve So'oialo

17 July 2004
South Africa  38 – 24 Pacific Islanders
Tries: Breyton Paulse (2), Jacques Cronjé, Jean de Villiers
Con: Percy Montgomery (3)
Pen: Percy Montgomery (4)		 Tries: Sitiveni Sivivatu (2), Sione Lauaki, Sireli Bobo
Con: Seru Rabeni (2)
Express Advocate Stadium, Gosford, Australia
Attendance: 15,732
Referee: Scott Young

South Africa: 15.Percy Montgomery, 14.Breyton Paulse, 13.Marius Joubert, 12.De Wet Barry, 11.Jean de Villiers, 10.Jaco van der Westhuyzen, 9.Bolla Conradie, 8.Jacques Cronjé, 7.AJ Venter, 6.Schalk Burger, 5.Gerrie Britz, 4.Bakkies Botha, 3.Eddie Andrews, 2.John Smit (capt.), 1.Os du Randt, - replacements: 17.CJ van der Linde, 18.Quinton Davids, 19.Pedrie Wannenburg, 20.Fourie du Preez - No entry : 16.Danie Coetzee, 21.Brent Russell, 22.Gaffie du Toit
Pacific Islanders: 15.Norman Ligairi, 14.Sireli Bobo, 13.Seilala Mapusua, 12.Seru Rabeni, 11.Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10.Tanner Vili, 9.Moses Rauluni, 8.Sisa Koyamaibole, 7.Alifereti Doviverata, 6.Sione Lauaki, 5.Ifereimi Rawaqa, 4.Inoke Afeaki (capt.), 3.Tevita Taumoepeau, 2.Aleki Lutui, 1.Soane Tonga'uiha, - replacements: 16.Joeli Lotawa, 17.Taufa'ao Filise, 18.Filipo Levi, 19.Tu Tamarua, 20.Steve So'oialo, 21.Seremaia Baikeinuku, 22.Brian Lima

2006
11 November 2006
Wales  38–20 Pacific Islanders
Tries: Mark Jones, James Hook, Kevin Morgan, Lee Byrne, Ceri Sweeney
Con: Ceri Sweeney (5)
Pen: Ceri Sweeney		 Tries: Justin Va'a, Seilala Mapusua, Kameli Ratuvou
Con: Tusi Pisi
Pen: Tusi Pisi
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Attendance: 50,769
Referee: Wayne Barnes
18 November 2006
Scotland  34 – 22 Pacific Islanders
Tries: Marcus Di Rollo, David Callam, Kelly Brown, Andy Henderson
Con: Chris Paterson (4)
Drop goal: Marcus Di Rollo
Pen: Chris Paterson		 Tries: Rupeni Caucaunibuca, Kameli Ratuvou 2, Daniel Leo
Con: Pisi (1)
Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
Attendance: 19,055
Referee: Bryce Lawrence
26 November 2006
Ireland  61 – 17 Pacific Islanders
Tries:Denis Hickie, Paddy Wallace, Malcolm O'Kelly, Simon Easterby(2), Shane Horgan, Rory Best, Paul O'Connell
Con: Paddy Wallace (6)
Pen: Paddy Wallace (3)		 Tries: Seru Rabeni, Lome Fa'atau, Tusi Pisi
Con: Tusi Pisi (1)
Lansdowne Road, Dublin
Attendance: 43,000
Referee: Christophe Berdos

2008
8 November 2008
England  39 – 13 Pacific Islanders
Tries:Sackey (2), Cipriani, Kennedy, Mears
Con: Cipriani (4)
Pen: Cipriani (2)		 (Report) Try Rabeni
Con: Hola
Pen: Hola, Bai
Twickenham, London
Attendance: 55,427
Referee: Matt Goddard
15 November 2008
France  42 – 17 Pacific Islanders
Tries:Tillous-Borde, Szarzewski, Heymans, Picamoles, Médard
Con: Skrela (4)
Pen: Skrela (3)		 (Report) Try:Taione
Pen: Bai (4)
Stade Auguste Bonal, Montbéliard
Attendance: 20,000
Referee: Nigel Owens
22 November 2008
Italy  17 – 25 Pacific Islanders
Tries: Ghiraldini 16' c
Mauro Bergamasco 65' c
Con: Marcato (2)
Pen: Marcato 6'		 (Report) Tries: Delasau 3' c, 29' m
Ratuvou 40' c
Con: Bai (2)
Pen: Bai 18', 42'
Stadio Giglio, Reggio Emilia
Attendance: 13,595
Referee: Wayne Barnes
gollark: ... probably not!
gollark: To be fair, they'll probably complain.
gollark: Also, looking at this code here, it looks as if I can probably:- send an empty nickname- send an empty *message*- send a message which would mess up your incredibly flaky serialization thing
gollark: !
gollark: Probably

See also

References
  1. "Pacific Islanders' choice restricted", Planet-Rugby.com, 31 July 2006
  2. Ackford, Paul (2008-10-18). "Pacific Islanders looking for a revolution as they prepare to tour Europe". Daily Telegraph. UK: Telegraph Media Group. Retrieved 2010-05-20.
  3. "Pacific Islands record first-ever victory". ESPN. 22 November 2008. Retrieved 20 February 2013.
  4. "Samoa quits Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance". Planet Rugby. 17 July 2009. Archived from the original on 21 July 2009.
  5. Robson, Toby (12 July 2014). "Strong backing for Singapore Super Rugby bid". Stuff. Archived from the original on 16 July 2014. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
  6. Linden, Julian (23 October 2014). "Rugby-Singapore bidding team concedes Japan will get new Super franchise". Reuters. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
  7. O'Driscoll wants Lions match in Pacific Islands - ESPN Scrum, 19 July 2014
  8. Samoan star calls the Lions the ‘most stuck-up’ team in the world after Pacific Island snub - The 42, 21 July 2015
  • "Supporters website", The Pacific Islanders, archived from the original on 27 September 2011CS1 maint: unfit url (link)

Union websites

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