Fast Facts
Players: 156,140
RWC Results: Quarters 1987, 2007
IRB World Ranking: 12 74.58
Best Result 2014: Vs. Tonga 45-17
Coach: John Mckee Captain: Akapusi Qera
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Culture:
By the time Fiji adopted the sport of Rugby in the early 1900's the British Empire was in the decline. The impact being that the Fijians did not learn the sport from settlers and rather the British Royal Navy who had docked in the area on a posting. The Fijians took to the game quickly and there are now over 150,000 rugby players in Fiji. They even adapted a physical, fast pace approach to the game that complimented their genetic body type and often blew opponents off the pitch. Not only do Fijians play very good rugby union their often muscular and tall body types make them extremely well suited to the smaller scale game of rugby 7's. 7's is a lot more fast paced than union and is also a lot easier to organize with only 7 on a team rather than 15 thus it fits perfectly with the Fijians tactics. Finally Rugby was also popular in Fiji because of the rivalry between the islands of the nation and indeed other pacific island nations such as Samoa and Tonga.
Play Style
The Flying Fijians as they are aptly known for their tremendous pace and physical take on the game. Rugby 7's is the national sport of Fiji and it is fair to say Fiji enjoy utilising the same approach to that of the rugby union that will played at this world cup. Fiji has a back line that could set the world on fire, and easily rival any of their higher ranked opponents. They are also extremely physical and difficult to tackle when running at full pace. It is an old rugby saying that "backs win games, forwards win titles" such is very telling when looking at the Fijian squad. Their forwards certainly have power, and can be extremely mobile, but there are very few big name players, and they can find it difficult in the set piece. For the most part Fijian rugby relies on the pure skill of the players, although they are also capable of stringing backline moves together very eloquently. In the tight encounters Fiji are often found lacking and We may see northern hemisphere hosts attempt grind out victory by keeping the ball in the forwards away from the fearsome Fijian backline.