Flying Fijians 2025
Fiji defeated despite big comeback
The Flying Fijians were defeated by France 34-21 in a thrilling contest in Bordeaux.
After falling behind 21-0 in the opening 20 minutes, Fiji managed to score 3 straight tries, drawing level early in the 2nd half 21-21.
That's where the scoring ended for the visitors, instead 2 penalties and a late try giving The Blues a 13 point win.
Kalaveti Ravouvou scored Fiji's opening try, followed by Selestino Ravutaumada on the stroke of halftime before Jiuta Wainiqolo got his 5 pointer in the 42nd minute.
Caleb Muntz missed his only attempt at a penalty goal before the kicking duties went to Simione Kuruvoli who kicked all 3 conversions and missed his only penalty goal attempt.
Fiji now travel to Malaga to play Spain on Sunday morning FJT.
Flying Fijians lose opening November test
The Flying Fijians were beaten by England in their opening match of the Quilter Nations Series in Twickenham 38-18.
Fiji Captain Tevita Ikanivere scored 2 tries including their first in the 9th minute from the back of a lineout maul. He crossed again in the 51st minute from a lineout move close to the English tryline.
Flyhalf Caleb Muntz scored a brilliant team try but was inefficient with the boot, missing all 3 conversion attempts.
Yellow cards to Selestino Ravutaumada and Josua Tuisova proved costly as 2 of England's tries were scored with Fiji down to 14 men.
Fiji regroup and head to Bordeaux to face France on Saturday night (Sunday morning FJT).
Fiji win Pacific Nations Cup
The Flying Fijians have won back-to-back Pacific Nations Cups after defeating Japan in a thrilling final 33-27.
Japan came firing out of the blocks, posting 10 points before Fiji responded with a try directly from the restart through Mesake Vocevoce.
They would then go a hot run, scoring 3 more tries in the final 20 minutes of the 1st half through some breath-taking running rugby.
Tries were scored by Centre Inia Tabuavou, skipper Tevita Ikanivere and Joji Nasova.
Nasova crossed for his 2nd 2 minutes into the 2nd half. It was looking like a long night for the Brave Blossoms but they managed to work their way back into the match and push Fiji to the final whistle.
Ultimately Fiji held on with some determined defence and forcing crucial turnovers.
Coach Mick Byrne added - “It was tough today, wasn’t it? The fight we had at the end, we were down a couple of cards, things didn’t seem to be going our way out on the field – but the boys dug deep, defended well under a bit of pressure and had some composure to come back at the end and control the game.”
Fiji into PNC final after big win over Canada
Fiji have defeated Canada by a whopping 63-10 in Denver to advance to the Pacific Nations Cup final.
It took only 3 minutes for Fiji to post a try. It came through speedy winger Taniela Rakuro who would go on to score 2 for the night.
Late changes meant Kemu Valetini started in the Flyhalf position with Caleb Muntz shifting to the bench.
Debutant Joji Nasova ran a match high 130 metres while also getting his first 5 pointer. Kalaveti Ravouvou was forced to play Centre for virtually the whole match with Seta Tamanivalu leaving the field injured in the first minute. Ravouvou scored 3 tries for the night and gifted Mesake Vocevoce another.
Other tries were scored by Eroni Mawi and Etonia Waqa who was heavily involved on the night.
Fiji will play Japan in the final.
Fiji defeat Samoa in 2nd PNC clash
The Flying Fijians came from behind to defeat a determined Samoan side 29-15 in Rotorua.
Fiji found themselves down 5-15 in the first half, with the home side enjoying a mount of possession thanks to some great defence.
Captain Tevita Ikanivere scored Fiji's first try through a rolling maul and Seta Tamanivalu ran a great line to cross for their second just before half time.
The 2nd half turned into a dog-fight with both sides struggling to score. Fiji did cross late through Kalaveti Ravouvou. The win also qualifies Tonga for the 2027 RWC.
Fiji off to a flyer in first PNC match
The Flying Fijians have defeated Tonga 32-10 in their first Pacific Nations Cup match.
Tonga came into the match with a win under their belt, defeating Samoa in impressive fashion last weekend and carried that form into round 2 scoring a try after barely a minute on the clock.
It didn't take long however for Fiji to find their rhythm, scoring in the 12th minute through Seta Tamanivalu who finished off a wonderful long range team-try.
Fiji would score a further 3 tries through Kalaveti Ravouvou, Tevita Ikanivere and Taniela Rakuro for a solid first up win.
Flying Fijians defeat Scotland
The Flying Fijians have defeated Scotland in Suva 29-14. In a memorable day for the men in white, they scored 3 tries and were awarded a penalty try while Caleb Muntz kicked penalty goal.
Scotland started both halves strong, scoring both their tries in the first 5 minutes of each half. But once Fiji started gaining momentum, they visitors struggled to keep up at times.
Tevita Ikanivere scored Fiji's first try through a lineout maul before Kalaveti Ravouvou finished off a clinical backline move to dot down in the right corner.
In the second half it was in-form winger Jiuta Wainiqolo who broke through, beat several defenders before scoring a brilliant try.
Whilst Fiji will take the win, their were several tryscoring opportunities gone begging.
Byrne makes 4 changes vs Scotland
Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne has selected the bulk of the side that narrowly lost to Australia to face Scotland on Saturday in Suva.
Prop Peni Ravai who injured his arm in last weekend's match is replaced by Mesake Doge, bringing Samuela Tawake onto the vacant bench spot.
Philip Baselala is replaced by Sam Wye, he too is likely to make his debut when he comes off the bench.
Vilimoni Botitu fills the vacant #23 jersey worn by Sireli Maqala last weekend. Maqala is promoted to starting Centre in place of Iosefo Masi in what is the biggest change from last weekend. See the full team here
Heartbreak as Fiji lose in final minutes
The Flying Fijians battled from 14-nil down to lead 15-14 in the 2nd half of their opening test match against the Wallabies. Jiuta Wainiqolo set up both Fiji's tries including a trademark linebreak where he beat several defenders on a 70 metre run to set up Lekima Tagitagivalu in the corner.
Fiji looked to have scored through Sireli Maqala minutes later if not for the TMO intervening.
The winning try came in the 78th minute. The Wallabies winning 21-18.
Mick Byrne names exciting lineup for Wallabies test
Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne has named an exciting lineup for their opening Test match this Sunday against the Wallabies. Amongst those named, former New Zealand Sevens rep Salesi Rayasi who will start at fullback.
Taking over the captaincy after the international retirement of Waisea Nayacalevu is Fijian Drua Hooker Tevita Ikanivere. Also making a likely debut if halfback Philip Baselala who has been named on the bench.
Player Updates
Jiuta Wainiqolo scored another superb solo try for Lyon in their round 8 home loss to La Rochelle.
Only 2 minutes into the game, Lyon spread the ball left and with nowhere to go, Wainiqolo chipped over his opposing winger and beat cover defender to the ball, scoring under the posts to open the scoring.
His 2nd try came in the 20th minute, touching down on a ball that came spitting out the side of a ruck right on the opposition tryline.
Despite their efforts however the visitors just had a little too much class in the end, La Rochelle taking the points 36-19.
Bordeaux have seemingly returned to form, winning their first back-to-back games of the season, this time over fellow contenders Bayonne 41-12.
Salesi Rayasi scored his 2nd try of the season in the 24th minute. Receiving the ball about 15 metres out, he stepped past the first defender before running it in to score with an early dive to ensure the touchdown.
Rayasi will join the Flying Fijians in camp this week as they prepare for their end of year test schedule.
Sireli Maqala’s acrobatic try against Bordeaux was one of the few highlights to take out their heavy defeat from the defending champions.
On a cross-field kick, he leapt above fellow Fijian Salesi Rayasi, caught the ball over his head and with Rayasi trying desperately to dislodge the ball with his foot, Maqala still managed to dot it down before being bundled out.
Both players were named in the Flying Fijians November squad and will join the team this week.
Provence were in fine form against Brive on Friday night, keeping their opponents tryless in a 25-3 win.
Flyhalf Caleb Muntz had a superb game directing the side around the park and was on point with the boot. A couple of touch finders from penalties off the top shelf to get his team metres out from the opposition tryline. He also kicked a 50-22, his first in the competition.
Kicking for goal he was near perfect, his only miss was a bit of a head-scratcher as it looked to have gone over.
Provence are tracking well and Muntz heads into the November test schedule on the back of some great form.
