Fiji Sevens is watched and enjoyed by fans around the world for its style of play — the "Flying Fijians" play with Fijian flair.[1] Their passing and offloads can be unorthodox for traditional rugby coaching, and more similar to basketball style.[2] Fiji is the only team to win the Sevens Treble, which is achieved by winning the Olympics, Sevens Series and World Cup. Fiji is the only team to have won Olympic gold, having done so at both Rio in 2016 and Tokyo in 2020.[3]
The International Rugby Board (IRB) expanded the sevens rugby competition to become a series of 11 tournaments around the world. The debt the FRU incurred from the 2000 sevens series were significant. At the end of December 2000, the FRU was burdened with accumulated losses of F$933,306. Fiji appealed to the IRB for funding arguing that the sevens tournament was built around Fiji and they would not be able to participate without such funding. From that appeal flowed participation funds that enabled the islands teams to play in the World Sevens Series fully funded. By the end of November 2001, the FRU was sitting on a surplus of F$560,311 compared with the previous year's net loss of F$675,609.
The FRU again ran out of money in 2013 to support the national sevens team. The IRB had temporarily suspended funding due to concerns with FRU financial management and governance. The head coach went unpaid for months, other staff were terminated, and the team lacked funds for basic supplies such as rugby balls and bottled water.[4]
Waisale Serevi is highly regarded as the best player ever in sevens rugby.[citation needed] Nicknamed the "maestro", played in this side from 1989 to 2006 leading them to countless tournament victories, two Sevens World Cups in 1997 and 2005.
Fiji has won the World Rugby Sevens Series four times — first in 2005-06, and most recently in 2018-19. Fiji are one of only two teams — along with New Zealand — to finish in the top four of the World Series every season since its inception.[citation needed]
Fiji secured their first Olympic gold medal with a 43–7 win over Great Britain at the Deodoro Stadium in Rio, Brazil. The opening minute saw Osea Kolinisau left one and one with Tom Mitchell and although his fellow captain halted his progress, Kolinisau was still able to stretch and touch the ball down behind his head. Almost straight away, Fiji had a second try when Samisoni Viriviri muscled his way past two players before offloading to Jerry Tuwai to score under the posts. After that Britain were shell shocked and Fiji racked up a further five tries.
Fiji defended and claimed their second Olympic gold medal with a score of 27-12 over New Zealand at the Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo, Japan.
Rugby World Cup Sevens
Fiji has twice won the Rugby World Cup Sevens — first in 1997, and again in 2005. Both times, Waisale Serevi was chosen as player of the tournament.
Gareth Baber (2016–present) - Baber has won the most tournaments by a Fiji 7s coach and has coached the side to their 4th World Series Title in 2019. In addition, Baber also coached the Fiji 7s side to victory by bringing the country's second gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Ben Ryan (2013–16) - Ryan coached the Fiji 7s side to 2 back to back world series titles and the country's first gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Waisale Serevi (2005–07; 2008–09) — Serevi coached/played in the side from 2005-2007 guiding Fiji to their first World Sevens Series title in the 2005/2006 season.
