Fijian Latui

Not to be confused with Fijian Drua.
Fijian Latui
UnionFiji Rugby Union
Founded2019; 5 years ago (2019)
Ground(s)
Coach(es)Senirusi Seruvakula
League(s)Global Rapid Rugby
Union website
www.fijirugby.com

The Fijian Latui is a professional rugby union team based in Suva that plays in the Global Rapid Rugby competition.[1]

Officially launched in March 2019, the Latui played four Pacific Showcase matches during May and June 2019,[2] before joining the inaugural Global Rapid Rugby tournament in 2020.[3]

It was originally expected that the team would compete in 2019 for Rapid Rugby's A$1 million first prize,[4] but the tournament launch was postponed for a year due to the shortened time frame following World Rugby approval in November 2018.[5] The Showcase Series was arranged for 2019 instead.[6]

Name

Latui, in Fijian, refers to the Fiji goshawk, a small hawk found in that country.[1] The Latui can hunt its prey with either a stealthy glide or a rapid flapping attack.[1]

Squad

The Latui team is drawn mainly from players based locally in Fiji.[1] The squad for the 2020 season is:

Fijian Latui – 2020 Global Rapid Rugby 
Hooker
  • Fiji Tevita Ikanivere
  • Fiji Ratunaisa Navuma
  • Fiji Manoa Mocelutu
Prop
Lock
  • Fiji Sailasa Kerekere
  • Fiji Soro Tuifagalele
  • Fiji Peni Naruma[A]
  • Fiji Chris Minimbi
  • Fiji Epeli Radaniva
Backrow
Scrum-half
Fly-half
Centre
Wing
  • Fiji Epeli Momo
  • Fiji Lepani Raiyala [A]
  • Fiji Nacanieli Narequva
  • Fiji Jiuta Wainiqolo
Fullback
Notes:
The initial 33-man squad was named in February 2020.[7] Players joining in subsequent rounds were:
  1. ^ a b c d e f Naruma, Naimasi, Tela, Tikoirotuma , Raiyala and Malele (Rd 1).[8]
Bold denotes player is internationally capped. (c) Denotes team captain. 1 denotes marquee player.

Prop Joeli Veitayaki Jnr

Hooker Ratunaisa Navuma

Five-eighth Seru Vularika

Records

Season standings

Global Rapid Rugby

Year Pos Pld W D L PF PA +/− BP Pts Play-offs
2019 * 2nd 4 2 0 2 114 135 −21 2 10 —

Notes:

^* 2019 Rapid Rugby matches in the Pacific showcase.

Head coaches

Captains

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Fijian Latui set for elite international competition". Fiji Sun. 1 March 2019. Archived from the original on 1 March 2019.
  2. ^ "Rapid Rugby 2019 Schedule on show" (PDF) (Press release). Global Rapid Rugby. 1 March 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 March 2019.
  3. ^ Tavaga, Meli (1 March 2019). "FRU launches Fijian Latui". FBC News. Archived from the original on 1 March 2019.
  4. ^ "Sport: Sport: Rapid Rugby to provide Pacific boost". Radio New Zealand. 14 December 2018. Archived from the original on 15 January 2019.
  5. ^ Taylor, Nick (31 January 2019). "New Global Rapid Rugby competition delayed until next year". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 1 March 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  6. ^ "Western Force to face Robbie Deans again". Special Broadcasting Service. 1 March 2019. Archived from the original on 1 March 2019.
  7. ^ "Plenty of ammunition named in Fijian Latui squad". Fiji Rugby. 10 February 2020. Archived from the original on 11 February 2020.
  8. ^ "Fijian-Latui favourites at home against China Lions". Rapid Rugby. Archived from the original on 13 March 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  9. ^ a b Nasokia, Waisea (22 May 2019). "Back to basics says Fijian Latui coach". Fiji Sun. Archived from the original on 5 June 2019. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  10. ^ Tavi, Karalaini (11 March 2020). "One mind, one soul says Latui Captain". FBC News. Archived from the original on 11 March 2020.

External links