Waisale Serevi

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Waisale Serevi
Full name Waisale Tikoisolomoni Serevi
Date of birth 1968-05-20
Place of birth Qarani, Fiji
Height 1.70 m
Weight 82 kg
Nickname Small, Wizard, Maestro
Rugby union career
Position Fly-half
Amateur clubs

1987-1988
1989
1989		 Nasinu
Rewi
Nabua
Suva
correct as of 2007-03-14.
Professional clubs
1993-1996
1997-1998
1998-2003
2004
2004-20??		 Mitsubishi
Leicester
Stade Montois
Stade Bordelais
Staines
correct as of 2007-03-14.
National team(s) Caps (points)
1987
1987
1989-2003		 Fiji B
Fiji XV
Fiji

39

(219)
correct as of 2007-03-14.
7's National teams Tournaments
1990-2006 Fiji 34 tournaments (1267)
74 tries 2006
2005 Sevens World Cup
Sevens World Cups
correct as of .
Teams coached
2005 - present Fiji
correct as of 2007.
Other Information
School  attended Delainamasi Government School
Lelean Memorial School
Spouse Karalini
Children 2 daughters & 1 son

Waisale Tikoisolomoni Serevi (born 20 May 1968 in Qarani on the island of Gau, Fiji) is a Fijian rugby union footballer.[1][2] He is noted for his skills in rugby sevens. However, he has also been capped 39 times for his country in the 15-man game and appeared another 27 times in non-cap matches. He is nicknamed the Wizard in sevens rugby.

Contents

[edit] Background

The third of five children, Serevi was born in the village of Qarani, in the northern Fijian island of Gau on 20 May 1968.[3][4] He was raised by staunch Christian parents who were both heavily involved in the Church.[3] Serevi's inspiration to play rugby stemmed from his childhood, when Fiji defeated the British Lions in 1977.[5] He missed watching the match, and decided to take up rugby after seeing how happy the victory made the people of Fiji.[5]

His family moved twice, the second time settling in Suva where Serevi started secondary school.[6] There he attended Lelean Memorial School.[4] His schooling was unsuccessful however, and he failed his Fiji Junior Certificate Examination (tenth year) in 1984.[3] Serevi's love for rugby was to blame, and according to him "I played too much and didn't spend enough time studying."[3]

After failing his examinations Serevi quit school and continued to play for his local club Rewa.[6] Although he trained with the team, he was omitted from playing as the coach, Jo Rauto, thought he was too small and would get hurt.[6] He was eventually selected to play for the senior provincial side when he was 17.[6] Several months later he was asked to join the Nabua Rugby Club (under the guidance of coach Ratu Kitione Tuibua) by his uncle Vesito Rauluni.[6][3] The Nabua team dominated Fiji's sevens tournaments.[6] Because he was unemployed, he used to jog to training as he only had enough money for the bus fare home.[3]

[edit] Playing career

[edit] Club

He played for the Nasinu Rugby Club in the Suva Club Rugby Competition, and represented Suva on numerous occasions. In 1993 Serevi signed for the Mitsubishi team from Kyoto, Japan.[7] Serevi initially played for Mitsubishi for A$70,000 a year, later increasing to A$90,000 a year.[8] While with Mitsubishi in 1994, Serevi was approached by Australian Rugby League clubs the Canberra Raiders, then the Brisbane Crushers to sign for them.[9] After being set to join the Brisbane Crushers, Serevi decided to stay with Mitsubishi due to a rise in pay, and because of pressure to stay with Rugby union from Fiji’s Methodist Church.[8]

Serevi continued to play for Mitsubishi until 1997 when he was joined English club Leicester on a two year contract.[10][11] He was first approached by Leicester after he played against them for a World XV at Twickenham in 1996.[10] Following his appearance in the same match in 1997, Leicester signed him.[11] He stayed at Leicester for only one season, under director of rugby Bob Dwyer. After this he moved to French club Stade Montois in Mont-de-Marsan.[10][12]

After joining Stade Montois, Serevi was switched to the coaching staff, due to the Pro D2 side only being allowed to play two non-European Union players.[13] However after getting clearance from the French Rugby Union Federation, Serevi was cleared to again play for Stade Montois in 2001.[13] He continued there until joining French Club Stade Bordelais in January 2004.[14] In late 2004 Serevi joined London club Staines; making his debut in a victory against Thurrock in December that year.[15][16]

[edit] International XVs

In 1987 Serevi was selected for the Fiji B team, and the following year he was selected for Fiji for the first time; playing against Wellington in New Zealand. The Wellington game was his first in front of a large crowd and of the experience he said "You get a mixed feelings when playing on an international field for the first time in front of a huge crowd." The next year he made his international debut; against Belgium in liuge for the Super Six.

After being selected for the team many times in 1989, and three times in 1990, Serevi played in the 1991 Rugby World Cup. He played two games in that World Cup; against France and Canada. Both games were lost, and Serevi only played four games for Fiji in XVs rugby in 1992 and 1993 (all four games lost). Fiji failed to qualify for the 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa before Serevi was selected for his first Fiji game since 1993 in 1996. The comeback against Northland in Whangarei was a 49-18 win; Serevi’s first win with the national team since 1991. Serevi was selected for seven games in 1996, including matches against South Africa and the New Zealand Maori.

Serevi did not play for Fiji in the 1997 season, but did come on against Scotland in Fiji’s 51-26 win at Suva in 1998. He was continually selected throughout 1998, and played Tests against France, USA, Australia, Tonga and Samoa. The following year he was again playing for Fiji, including consecutive wins over Spain, Uruguay, and Italy. This before playing in three of Fiji’s matches at the 1999 Rugby World Cup in France (including wins over Namibia and Canada).

Following the 1999 Rugby World Cup, Serevi did not play for Fiji until 2001. He came on against an Italian regional XV after 57 minutes and scored two tries, two conversions and two penalties to help his team to a 33-23 victory. This was followed by a match against Italy where he scored all of Fiji’s points (Fiji lost 10-66). He played two more matches for Fiji that season, including a win over the French Barbarians (where Serevi was captain).

In 2002 played four matches for Fiji. All were losses; first against Wales, then Ireland, Scotland A, and Scotland. Serevi’s last season for Fiji was in 2003, where he played several matches in build-up to the Rugby World Cup in Australia. These matches included wins over the Queensland Reds, Marlborough, and Chile. His last match for Fiji was a 41-13 win over Japan in the 2003 Rugby World Cup; his third Rugby World Cup tournament.

[edit] International sevens

After playing domestics sevens in Fiji, Serevi was selected for Fiji for the Sydney Sevens tournament in 1989. Later that year he made his début at the Hong Kong Sevens.[17] Although New Zealand won that tournament, and beat Fiji in their semi-final, Serevi was player of the tournament and returned with Fiji in 1990.[18] That year Fiji won their first of three consecutive Hong Kong Sevens titles.[4] Serevi again picked up player of the tournament after beating New Zealand in the final.[19] Fiji again won the Hong Kong Sevens in 1991; Serevi helped them to an 18-14 win over New Zealand in the final.[20] Serevi won his third consecutive Hong Kong Sevens title with Fiji in 1992.[21] Serevi was again the player of the tournament, and was again playmaker as Fiji won their final over New Zealand 22-6 in quagmire conditions.[21]

In 1993 Serevi again attended the Hong Kong sevens. Although he scored three tries to help Fiji to a 17-14 win over Australia in the semi-final, his team was defeated 14-12 in the final to Samoa.[22] Fiji's next major tournament was the inaugural Rugby Sevens World Cup held in Edinburgh, Scotland.[23] By the time of the World Cup, Serevi was already rated the best sevens player in the world.[24] Serevi said that the team was working "sometimes nine hours a day" in preparation for the Sevens World Cup.[25] Fiji were defeated by eventual champions England 21-7 in their semi-final however, despite spending most of the first half very close to the England try-line.[26] Despite the defeat, Serevi was top equal point scorer for the tournament.[27]

After playing in sevens tournaments in Fiji and Canberra, Serevi returned to the Hong Kong sevens. After defeating South Africa in their quarter final, Fiji lost to eventual winners New Zealand in the final.[28] In 1995, Serevi captained Fiji to the Hong Kong Sevens final.[29] Serevi scored three tries in Fiji's semi-final victory over Australia.[29] They then faced New Zealand in the final, and although they led 17-14 at one point, eventually lost 35-17.[29] In the 1996 tournament, Fiji again met New Zealand in the final.[30] New Zealand led after Serevi tripped Christian Cullen close to Fiji's try line.[30] This was followed by a break from Serevi to give Setareki Naivaluwaqa a try.[30] New Zealand scored twice more however, to give them a 19-17 victory.[30] Serevi finished the year by leading Fiji to victory in the Dubai Sevens.[31]

The following year the Hong Kong sevens doubled as the Rugby Sevens World Cup. Serevi was Fiji's captain for the tournament.[32] Before the tournament Serevi made a promise to Fiji to "bring back the Melrose Cup."[33] In his first three games of the tournament Serevi scored 59 points to help confirm Fiji as favourties for the title.[34] Fiji did not concede a point until their semi-final (their sixth game of the tournament), and eventually faced South Africa in the final.[35] South Africa scored two tries, before Fiji responded with four tries of their own; the final score was 24-21 to Fiji.[36] Serevi was the tournaments top scorer, with 117 points (including nine tries).[36][32] Serevi also played for Fiji in the Japan and France sevens; the latter won by Fiji.[37]

After winning the Fiji Sevens Tournament with Fiji in March 1998, Serevi led his country to Hong Kong.[38] Despite a 21-21 draw against Argentina in pool play - where Serevi scored one try and set up two - Fiji qualified for the Hong Kong Sevens' quarter-finals.[39] Fiji beat Australia in the quarter-finals, and faced New Zealand in their semi-final. They defeated New Zealand 24-7 after Serevi scored one try and set up another two.[40] Fiji faced Samoa in the final whom they defeated 28-19.[40] Serevi was named player of the tournament.[32] Later that year Serevi led Fiji in the Rugby Sevens at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur. The team faced New Zealand in the final, where they lost 21-12; earning them the silver medal.[41]

Serevi started 1999 by winning the Air Pacific Sevens in Fiji; they defeated Australian Fijians 35-7.[42] Following this Serevi captained Fiji to the Hong Kong Sevens; his eleventh tournament.[43] Fiji defeated Tonga - including a 40 metre one handed pass for Serevi to set up a try - and then Scotland whose defeat started with an individual try from Serevi.[44] Fiji and Serevi again faced New Zealand in the final.[45] Fiji scored three tries (all converted by Serevi) to win 21-12.[45] Serevi dedicated the win to his two daughters.[45]

In 1999 the inaugural International Rugby Board Sevens series was held starting with the Dubai tournament.[46] Serevi missed this leg, but finished the year by leading Fiji to victory in the South Africa Sevens in Stellenbosch.[47] Serevi then returned for the leg in Mar Del Plata where he scored a try to lead Fiji to victory over New Zealand in the final.[48] Serevi then lead Fiji in their first sevens tournament in New Zealand - at Wellington.[49] Fiji again defeated New Zealand in a tournament final; this time 24 - 14.[49] Serevi was the tournaments top points scorer (84 points).[49] Serevi also played in the Fiji Sevens tournament where Fiji lost to New Zealand 31-5 in the final.[50] Serevi then lead Fiji to victory in the Brisbane leg of the series.[51] Fiji made the final after defeating South Africa in their semi-final.[52] The final was against Australia, who were leading up until the last minute of the match.[51] With less then a minute to go Serevi broke several Australian tackles and sprinted 80 metres to score a try and win the match, and the tournament, for Fiji.[51][52] The try was described by Australian rugby union writer Spiros Zavos as "the greatest individual try in sevens series history" at the time, and was voted try of the year at the 2000 Fiji Rugby Awards.[51][4] At the Hong Kong Sevens, Serevi was the tournaments top scorer with 75 points. It was not enough for Fiji to win however, as they lost 31-5 to New Zealand in the final.[53] Serevi's last sevens tournament of the series was in Japan where he led Fiji to victory.[54]

Serevi started 2001 by leading Fiji in the 2001 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Argentina.[4] Fiji were defeated by Australia in their semi-final; the Australians went on to lose to New Zealand in the final.[55] In the 2000/2001 IRB Sevens World Series Serevi only played in the London and then Wales tournaments - the later during which he was injured.[4][56] He also missed the 2001 Hong Kong Sevens; the first time he had missed the tournament in 12 years.[57] Serevi was omitted from the team due to form, and the desire to develop new players for the 2004 Rugby World Cup Sevens.[57] Fiji's coach at the time, Tomasi Cama, said of the omission ""It seems (Serevi) has lost some pace and age is catching up with him".[57] Serevi's last sevens tournament for the year was the World Games in Akita, Japan. As captain, he led Fiji to the Gold medal after defeating Australia 35-19 in the final.[4][58]

The first tournament of 2002 for Serevi was in Chile.[4] Fiji advanced to the semi-finals where they faced New Zealand.[59] During the match Serevi was tackled late by New Zealander Amasio Valence.[59] Fijian player Marika Vunibaka ran 50 metres to punch Valance and a brawl then started.[59] Fiji ended up losing the game.[59] Serevi and Fiji rebounded the following week to win the tournament at Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires.[60] Serevi played in the Brisbane, Wellington, and then Bejing before returning to Hong Kong. In Fiji's defeat of Australia in their quarter-final, Serevi scored 13 points to take his Hong Kong points talley over 1000.[61] Fiji defeated New Zealand in their semi-final and faced England in the final.[62] England defeated Fiji 33-20 in the final.[62]

[edit] Sevens coach

After winning the 2005 Sevens World Cup, he was named player-coach of the national sevens side. As a coach who continues to play semi-regularly, he lifted the 2006 World Sevens Series championship trophy. He was recently offered a coaching position for the South African club Falcons (rugby team)."The Wizard" has been offered "Five times more" to coach in South Africa that he currently gets with the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU). The lucrative package is to lure him as a backline coach and player for two years and a coaching position for the next three years.[63].He has decided to stay with Fiji Rugby after he renewed his contract with the Fiji Rugby Union.

On 27 January 2007, interim Sports Minister Lekh Ram Vayeshnoi appointed Serevi to the board of the interim Sports Council (Fiji).[64]

[edit] Personal life

Serevi's interests include listening to music, and watching movies.[4][1] Apart from rugby, he also likes to play touch rugby and volleyball.[1] Other interests include meeting people, and travelling the world.[1] In 2007 just before the team left for Happy Valley, Serevi singled out that this could be the last year the rugby world could see the Sevens Wizard run on to So Kon Po Stadium for probably the last time as a player. Serevi is also a devout born again Christian.

[edit] Fiji statistics

  • Test debut: 1989 v Belgium in Liege
  • 39 caps 11 tries 219 points (66 games, 23 tries, 376 points)

[edit] Notes and references

  1. ^ a b c d Commonwealth Games Bio SEREVI Waisale. melbourne2006.com.au. Retrieved on 2007-03-05.
  2. ^ Ogilvie, David. "The Fijian Maestro", Evening Post (Wellington), 2002-02-08, p. 23.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Qalo, Serafina. "One tough road to the top", Fiji Times, 2005-12-31, p. 1.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i Waisale Serevi. teivovo.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-14.
  5. ^ a b "Lions spurred Serevi to play", Fiji Times, 2005-03-24, p. 50.
  6. ^ a b c d e f "God gave me the gifts, says Fiji sevens `genius'", Waikato Times, 2000-03-20, p. 10.
  7. ^ "RUGBY WORLD CUP – The Cash-Strapped Nursery", Financial Times, 1999-10-06, p. 19.
  8. ^ a b Masters, Roy. "God and Mammon Unit to Keep the Faith", Sydney Morning Herald, 1994-02-02, p. 52.
  9. ^ Masters, Roy. "Fijian Legend Set to be the Star", Sydney Morning Herald, 1993-11-09, p. 49.
  10. ^ a b c Hewett, Chris. "Slick Serevi Refuses to be Typecast", The Independent (London), 1997-08-29, p. 22.
  11. ^ a b Hands, David. "Sevens Specialist Widens his Horizons", The Times, 1997-08-30, p. 43.
  12. ^ "Serevi prolongs stay in France", Agence France-Presse, 1999-06-02.
  13. ^ a b "Serevi back for Mont-De-Marsan", Agence France-Presse, 2001-10-10.
  14. ^ "Fiji legend Serevi joins Stade Bordelais.", Agence France-Presse, 2003-12-26.
  15. ^ "Serevi Meeting", The Citizen, 2004-12-14, p. 48.
  16. ^ Gallagher, Brendan. "About Rugby", The Daily Telegraph, 2004-12-23, p. 06.
  17. ^ The Hong Kong Sevens is the most prestigious Sevens tournament in the World, and as such is worth twice the points of other tournaments in the IRB Sevens Series.
  18. ^ Barnes, Simon. "New Zealand have the best of both worlds;Rugby Union", The Times, 1989-04-03.
  19. ^ Growden, Greg. "LIFE, OLD 'GIRL', IS A SHOCK, HORROR CABARET", Sydney Morning Herald, 1990-04-03, p. 53.
  20. ^ "FIJI CLINCH RUGBY UNION SEVENS TITLE WITH INJURY-TIME TRY.", Reuters News, 1991-03-24.
  21. ^ a b "FIJIANS WIN THIRD SUCCESSIVE HONG KONG SEVENS TITLE", Reuters News, 1992-04-05.
  22. ^ "Western Samoa battle to first Hong Kong Sevens title.", Reuters News, 1993-03-28.
  23. ^ Rugby sevens was invented in Scotland, and first played in Melrose in 1883.
  24. ^ Hopkins, John. "SEVENS BRINGS HOME THE CASH", Financial Times, 1993-04-17, p. 12.
  25. ^ "Fiji aim to avenge Hong Kong defeat", Agence France-Presse, 1993-04-13.
  26. ^ "England snatch world sevens title.", Reuters News, 1993-04-18.
  27. ^ "Leading World Cup Sevens scorers", Agence France-Presse, 1993-04-18.
  28. ^ "Second days results in Hong Kong sevens.", Reuters News, 1994-03-27.
  29. ^ a b c "NZ storm to fifth Hong Kong title.", Reuters News, 1995-03-26.
  30. ^ a b c d "MASIREWA SEALS HONG KONG SEVENS WIN FOR NEW ZEALAND.", Reuters News, 1996-03-31.
  31. ^ Douglas, Derek. "MORGAN AND CO CALL FOR BETTER PREPARATION FOR THE WORLD CUP.", The Herald, 1996-11-25, p. 9.
  32. ^ a b c The sevens wonder of the world. nobok.co.uk. Retrieved on 2007-03-21.
  33. ^ "SEREVI VOWS TO RECOVER WORLD CUP SEVENS CROWN.", Reuters News, 1997-03-22.
  34. ^ "Fiji's Serevi sets Sevens on fire ...", Agence France-Presse, 1997-03-22.
  35. ^ "Defence, not Serevi, the secret to Fiji glory", Agence France-Presse, 1997-03-23.
  36. ^ a b "Fiji win Sevens.", The Australian, 1997-03-24, p. 27.
  37. ^ "SPIRITS BOOSTED.", Evening Standard, 1997-06-03, p. 20.
  38. ^ Foley, Chris. "Fiji, New Zealand lay rival claims to Hong Kong crown", Agence France-Presse, 1998-03-26.
  39. ^ Crean, John. "Argentina give Fiji a fright.", Reuters News, 1998-03-28.
  40. ^ a b Crean, John. "Fiji take eighth Hong Kong sevens title.", Reuters News, 1998-03-29.
  41. ^ Williams, Brian. "Kiwis recover pride with Sevens gold.", Reuters News, 1998-09-15.
  42. ^ "Serevi leads Fijian assault", Daily Telegraph, 1999-03-24, p. 80.
  43. ^ Duxbury, Jeremy. "Veteran Serevi leads Fiji off to Sevens", Reuters News, 2006-03-23.
  44. ^ "Serevi magic leads favourites Fiji into Hong Kong quarters", Agence France-Presse, 1999-03-27.
  45. ^ a b c "Serevi sorcery gives Fiji ninth Hong Kong title", Agence France-Presse, 1999-03-28.
  46. ^ IRB WORLD SEVENS SERIES - DUBAI. Retrieved on 2007-03-23.
  47. ^ "Double give Fiji edge over Kiwis", The Daily Telegraph, 1999-12-13, p. 46.
  48. ^ "Waisale Serevi", The Times, 2000-01-15, p. 43.
  49. ^ a b c IRB WORLD SEVENS SERIES - WELLINGTON. teivovo.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-25.
  50. ^ IRB WORLD SEVENS SERIES - FIJI. teivovo.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-25.
  51. ^ a b c d Zavos, Spiros. "Sevens Heaven In Brisbane Means A Little Hell For Ella's Australians", Sydney Morning Herald, 2000-02-22, p. 25.
  52. ^ a b IRB WORLD SEVENS SERIES - BRISBANE. teivovo.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-25.
  53. ^ Credit Suisse First Boston Hong Kong 7s 24-26 March, 2000. teivovo.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-25.
  54. ^ Japan Sevens 2000 1-2 April, 2000. teivovo.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-25.
  55. ^ Weil, Eric. "New Zealand defeats Australia to win Rugby World Cup Sevens championship", Associated Press, 2001-01-29.
  56. ^ "Kiwis triumph in Wales, Fiji win Plate", teivovo.com, 2001-06-03. Retrieved on 2007-03-25.
  57. ^ a b c Luk, Helen. "Fiji confident despite absence of Serevi", Associated Press, 2001-03-29.
  58. ^ "Canadian rugby sevens squad finishes sixth at World Games", The Canadian Press, 2001-08-27.
  59. ^ a b c d "NZ, FIJI IN UGLY SEVENS BRAWL", The Dominion (Wellington), 2002-01-07, p. 1.
  60. ^ "FIJI WIN ARGENTINA SEVENS, KIWIS ELIMINATED IN SEMIFINAL", New Zealand Press Association, 2002-01-13.
  61. ^ Taylor, Stuart. "Serevi continues to excel despite advancing years", South Wales Evening Post, 2002-03-30.
  62. ^ a b "England upsets Fiji 33-20 in final of Hong Kong Rugby Sevens", Associated Press, 2002-03-25.
  63. ^ "Fiji to lose Sevens star to South Africa", stuff.co.nz, 2006-12-29. Retrieved on 2007-03-04.
  64. ^ "Rajendra Chaudry accepts board appointment", fijivillage.com, 2007-01-27. Retrieved on 2007-03-04.

[edit] External links


Persondata
NAME Waisale Tikoisolomoni Serevi
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Small, Wizard, Maestro
SHORT DESCRIPTION Fijian Rugby Sevens footballer. Coach and player.
DATE OF BIRTH 20 May 1968
PLACE OF BIRTH Qarani, Gau, Fiji
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH
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