The Pacific Islanders will head to Australia expecting to make the knockout stages and potentially reach the quarter-finals for a fourth time.

Fiji have a solid Men’s Rugby World Cup pedigree, having made the last eight three times in nine appearances – and on two of those occasions, they weren’t far off making the last four.

They will be coming to Australia more in expectation than hope, as arguably the most improved international team of the last few years, benefitting greatly from the presence of the Drua in Super Rugby Pacific which has exposed a generation of new players to the professional game and improved high-performance systems.

Fiji have an abundance of naturally powerful, athletic players and their natural game is to pass and run. The big difference recently has been their ability to marry their continuity game with a solid and effective set-piece.

They will target a place in the Round of 16, knowing they can lift their game in the knockout phase to potentially cause a major upset. The biggest challenge will be holding their campaign together. Fiji have struggled in the past to produce consistent performances – in 2023 they beat Australia but lost to Portugal – throughout the entire pool phase.

Players to watch: 

Salesi Rayasi

A rangy, athletic wing or full-back, Bordeaux flyer Rayasi is a gifted runner with an adventurous streak and the capacity to launch effective counter-attacks.

Temo Mayanavanua

Mayanavanua is the engine of the Fijian Drua – a 120kg, mobile, spring-heeled second-row who can disrupt opposition lineouts and make a big impact on both sides of the ball.

Pita Gus Sowakula

Sowakula won two New Zealand caps in 2022, three years after giving up his job as a chef in Fiji, before switching to his native country in late 2025. A powerful number eight with great hands and a big engine, he is a relentless and damaging ball-carrier.

RWC icon

Rupeni Caucaunibuca spent the first few months of 2003 scoring wonder tries for the Blues in Super Rugby, helping them win the title. By the time Rugby World Cup came around, he had just recovered from a knee injury and had barely played for four months.

But he scored two incredible long-range tries – against France and Scotland – showing his ability to glide and swerve past defenders even though it looked like he was jogging.

One of the fastest and most elusive wings to ever play the game, 'Caucau’ lit up the 2003 tournament and epitomised all that is good about Fijian rugby.

RWC cult hero

At 1.94m and 125kg, Nemani Nadolo had no business playing on the wing, but he starred there for Fiji against England in the opening game of Rugby World Cup 2015 – scoring a memorable try.

But the big man could play anywhere in the backline, often featuring in midfield and he was also the team’s back-up goal-kicker.

A colourful, fun-loving, accessible character, the Australian-raised Nadolo had Super Rugby stints with the Waratahs and Crusaders, and also played for Bourgoin, Montpellier, Leicester and Exeter – winning friends and admirers all over the world.

Head coach

Senirusi Seruvakula is operating in an interim capacity after former head coach Mick Byrne reached a mutual agreement to step down in February 2026.

Seruvakula, a former test flanker, had charge of the Drua between 2017-19 and then guided the Fiji women’s team from 2020.

It’s not clear if he will stay in the job through to Australia 2027 as Fijian officials have indicated they intend to run a process to find a long-term successor for Byrne.

Most memorable match

Fiji’s 38-34 pool win over Wales in Nantes was the biggest upset of Rugby World Cup 2007, a victory built on natural flair, resilience and belief.

The Fijians raced out to a 25-3 lead in a first-quarter blitz of pass-and-catch brilliance but found themselves 34-31 behind with four minutes remaining.

They managed to string enough phases together though for prop Graham Dewes to crash over and send Fiji into the quarter-finals and Wales home.

Pool journey

Did you know…? 

Fiji is made up of more than 330 islands with about 100 being inhabited. It is possible to be in two different time zones at the same time on Taveuni, the third-largest island, due to the fact that Fiji is spread across the international dateline.

RWC history

Key stat

Fiji have received 21 yellow cards at Men’s Rugby World Cup, more than any other nation.

RWC Fast facts 

• RWC debut: 1987
• RWC best finish: Quarter-finals (1987, 2007, 2023)
• Most RWC appearances: Nicky Little (14) 
• Top RWC try scorer: Vereniki Goneva (five)
• Top RWC points scorer: Nicky Little (125)