Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has highlighted the significance of the upcoming Nations Championship series, which sees the Fiji Water Flying Fijians set to compete against some of rugby’s most esteemed Northern Hemisphere nations. This event is particularly historic as it marks the first structured cross-hemisphere championship series for the Flying Fijians, who will face teams such as England, Wales, and Scotland.
At the official launch of the series, Rabuka reflected on the long-standing relations between Fiji and these nations over the past 40 years, emphasizing the progression of the Flying Fijians on the international rugby stage. “This isn’t just another tournament, it’s a special and new era for our country, which has been playing these major teams for the past few decades,” he stated, expressing excitement about the upcoming matches and the anticipated support from fans in the northern hemisphere.
The series kicks off on Friday, July 4, with Fiji taking on Wales in Cardiff. Following that, Fiji will host England on July 11 before heading to Edinburgh for a match against Scotland at Murrayfield Stadium on July 18. Currently, Fiji holds the ninth position in the World Rugby rankings, ahead of Wales, while England ranks fifth and Scotland is seventh, highlighting the competitive nature of the upcoming fixtures.
Historically, Fiji has faced Wales 15 times since their first official Test in 1985, achieving two victories, notably the thrilling 38–34 win during the 2007 Rugby World Cup. The team has encountered Scotland 13 times, securing two wins, and after their inaugural victory over England in 2023 with a landmark 30–22 win at Twickenham, the upcoming series presents Fiji with a significant opportunity to enhance their rugby legacy and solidify their standing among the sport’s elite nations.
With the love for rugby deeply ingrained in Fiji’s culture, the anticipation for this series is palpable, and it reflects the growing recognition and respect for the Flying Fijians on the international rugby stage.