Semi Kunatani

Semi Kunabuli Kunatani OF (born 27 October 1990) is a Fiji rugby union[1] player. He plays for the Fiji sevens team and also Top 14 side Castres . He previously played for Top 14 side, Stade Toulousain and Premiership Rugby side Harlequins. Kunatani debuted for Fiji in 2013 Dubai Sevens tournament.

Semi Kunatani, OF
Kunatani in 2017
Date of birth (1990-10-27) 27 October 1990
Place of birthNadi, Fiji
Height1.92 m (6 ft 4 in)
Weight100 kg (220 lb)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Lock/Flanker
Current team Castre
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
Yamacia ()
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2015–2018
2018–2020
2020–		 Toulouse
Harlequins
Castres		 29
11		 (25)
(15)
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2017 Fiji 10 (15)
National sevens team(s)
Years Team Comps
2013– Fiji
Medal record
Men's rugby sevens
Representing  Fiji
Olympic Games
2016 Rio de JaneiroTeam competition

Career

Kunatani started his career playing rugby in the local 7's competition. He played for the Yamacia 7's side [2] and was selected by Ben Ryan to represent the Fiji National Sevens side in Dubai 2013, following the 2013 win at the Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens where he was a stand out player.

Semi's highs this 2014–2015 World Rugby Sevens season include having scored a total of 37 tries in the series thus far, being named in three World Rugby Dream Teams' (Gold Coast, Las Vegas and Glasgow) and most recently Semi was recognised by Sir Gordon Tietjens when he was named by Sir Gordon in his Hong Kong 7s Dream Team. Listing Semi Kunatani on his bench in an all time Best Sevens team, joining the likes of Waisale Serevi, Jonah Lomu, David Campese, Eric Rush and many other greats of the game.

Semi has signed with Toulouse in the French T14, beginning his career in the 2015–16 season and will continue to represent Fiji Sevens if and when selected by national coach Ben Ryan.

Semi became an Olympian at Rio 2016 playing in all 6 matches of the Olympics and helping Fiji win their first ever Olympic gold medal when Fiji thrashed Great Britain 43-7 in the final. Semi was a major factor in the final playing a significant role in 4 tries of the first half. This saw Semi join Osea KOLINISAU and Josua Tuisova in the Rio 7s Dream Team.

On 25 August 2018, Kuntani travels to England to join Harlequins in the Gallagher Premiership from the 2018-19 season.[3]

He rejoined the Top 14 when he signed for Castres ahead of the 2020–21 season.[4]

Statistics

World Rugby Sevens Series
Season Statistics Final ranking Tournaments played Victory Runners-up Third places
Matches Tries
2013–14 32 9 3rd 6/9 1

Dubai

 0 2

Glasgow and Wellington

2014–15 52 40 1st 9/9 4

Gold Coast ; Las Vegas ; Hong Kong and Glasgow

 0 3

Dubai ; Shibuya and London

2015–16 12 5 - 2/6 0 0 2

Wellington et Sydney

Total 96 54 - 17 5 0 7

Awards and honours

After the 2016 Summer Olympics, Kunatani was awarded the Officer of the Order of Fiji.[5]

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References
  1. Naisa Koroi (February 15, 2015). "Rampaging Semi". Fiji Sun.
  2. Shelvin Singh (February 27, 2015). "Injuries keep Fiji 7s star Semi Kunatani out of Marist Sevens". Mai Life Magazine.
  3. "Semi Kunatani: Harlequins sign Toulouse back-rower". BBC Sport. 25 August 2018. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  4. "TRANSFER Harlequins confirm another major departure". Ruck. 4 June 2020.
  5. Talebula Kate (August 26, 2016). "Medals of honour". The Fiji Times.


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