Fiji national under-20 rugby union team
| Union | Fiji Rugby Union | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Baby Flying Fijians | ||
| Emblem(s) | the Palm | ||
| Coach(es) | Salimoni Ravouvou | ||
| |||
The Fiji national Under 20 rugby team is for Fijian rugby union players aged 20 or under on January 1 of the year during which they are selected.
Under 20 age grade rugby came into existence, as a result of the IRB combining the Under 19 Rugby World Championship and Under 21 Rugby World Championship into a single IRB Junior World Championship tournament.[1]
2008 Junior World Championships
In June 2008 Wales hosted the 2008 IRB Junior World Championship. Fiji lost all of its pool matches going down to England 41-17 the losing to Australia by 53-17 before going down in a close match against Canada by 10-17. In the 13th-16th Places Playoffs, Fiji beat USA before going down to Tonga and finishing 14th overall out of 16.
2009 Junior World Championships
In June 2009, Japan hosted the 2009 IRB Junior World Championship. Fiji lost its first two matches against South Africa (36-10) and France (48-25) before defeating Italy by 20-14 with tries to Ledua and Matawalu. Fiji lost out to Scotland in the Semi final play offs and then losing to Argentina in the 11th place play off and finished overall at 12th position and due to its 12th finish, qualified for the next championship in 2010 which was reduced to 12 teams.
2010 Junior World Championships
In June 2010, Argentina hosted the 2010 IRB Junior World Championship. Fiji played its first game against 2 times winners New Zealand going down 44-11 with tries to Christopher Nasiganyavi and 2 penalties to Josh Matavesi. They were thumped 31-13 by Wales but accounted for Samoa beating them 15-12. In the 5th place play-off, Fiji were beaten 44-9 by France before losing to Wales again in the 7th place play off by 39-15 and finishing 8th overall.
2011 Junior World Championships
In June 2011, Italy hosted the 2011 IRB Junior World Championship. Fiji played its first game against France losing 24-12 before getting thrashed 50-25 by Australia. Fiji then went on to beat Tonga 36-18. In the 5th-8th place play-off, Fiji thrashed Wales by 34-20 before getting thrashed by South Africa by 104-17 who scored 14 tries to 2. Even after the loss, Fiji finished at its best ever position of 6th.
Current squad
Fiji Under 20's squad for the 2014 IRB Junior World Championship in New Zealand, 2–20 June.[2]
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Forwards
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Backs
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Non Travelling Reserves
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Management
- Salimoni Ravouvou - Head Coach
- Paula Biutanaseva - Team Manager
- Iliesa Samusamuvodre - Assistant Coach
- Jennifer Kula - Physiotherapist
- Alipate Navunisaravi - Team Doctor
- Tikiko Namaua - Trainer
Notable former coaches
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Iliesa Tanivula (2010) - Inoke Male (2011)
Notable former players
- Nikola Matawalu (2009)
- Metuisela Talebula (2009)
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Noa Nakaitaci (2008) - Maritino Nemani (2010)
- Josh Matavesi (2010)
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Tevita Kuridrani (2010)
References
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