As the dust settles on the 2026 Nations Championship’s Southern Hemisphere leg, we turn our focus to Fiji under Senirusi Seruvakula. It's been a turbulent journey with moments of brilliance overshadowed by lapses in discipline.
Fiji’s campaign kicked off in Cardiff, designated a home game despite its Welsh location. The Flying Fijians, featuring tries by Pita Gus Sowakula, Selestino Ravutaumada, and Elia Canakaivata, showed flashes of brilliance but were ultimately subdued by the Welsh, losing 24-39. The early loss of key players Semi Radradra and Tim Hoyt only compounded their challenges.
Their next fixture was no less daunting, taking on England in Liverpool. Marcus Smith’s early try set the tone for a one-sided affair. Discipline issues, including Levani Botia’s yellow card and Simione Kuruvoli’s red card, derailed any hopes of a comeback. Fiji limped to an 8-73 defeat, with Tevita Ikanivere scoring their lone try.
"Our discipline did not hold up under pressure, and that cost us dearly," admitted Coach Seruvakula.
Fiji’s final match against Scotland initially promised a different story, as they led at halftime thanks to tries from Canakaivata, Ravutaumada, and Ikanivere. However, a second-half collapse saw Scotland storm back to win 17-33.
Despite the losses, several Fijian players stood out. Josua Tuisova was a tour de force, particularly against Scotland, impacting all facets of the game. His efforts included a penalty-winning jackal and a tackle that notably floored Jac Morgan.
Elia Canakaivata was another standout, leading his team in tackles and carries in multiple games, exemplifying commitment and skill even in defeat. He was pivotal in Fiji's brief moments of ascendancy, particularly noted for his maul try against Wales.
Though only amassing 11 points, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula showed promise in varied roles, contributing one penalty and four conversions across the competition. Additional key performances came from Jiuta Wainiqolo and Ravutaumada, who made significant meters with ball in hand, illustrating the dynamic running game Fiji is renowned for.
"We must learn from our mistakes, but also build on the positives that emerged from these tough games," said Seruvakula.
On a brighter note, Fiji's matches in European cities brought them closer to their diaspora. The vibrant support from over 8,000 Fijians at the Hill Dickinson Stadium exemplified the strong cultural ties and pride, providing a silver lining amidst the competitive disappointments.
As Fiji reflects on this challenging campaign, the areas for improvement are clear, but so is the evidence of unyielding spirit and raw talent within the team. The hope is that with discipline and focus, future contests will see Fiji not just compete, but prevail.
