Solomon Islands national rugby union team
The Solomon Islands national rugby union team represent Solomon Islands in the sport of rugby union.
 | ||
| Union | Solomon Islands Rugby Union Federation | |
|---|---|---|
| Head coach | Corey Chapman | |
| ||
| World Rugby ranking | ||
| Current | 103 (as of 16 January 2023) | |
| Highest | 69 (2011) | |
| First international | ||
| Papua New Guinea 23–5 Solomon Islands (18 August 1969) | ||
| Biggest win | ||
| Solomon Islands 61–7 Nauru (27 August 2019) | ||
| Biggest defeat | ||
| Solomon Islands 3–113 Fiji (21 August 1969) | ||
Medal record | ||
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They played their first internationals as part of the 3rd South Pacific Games in Port Moresby, beginning with a 5–23 loss to host team Papua New Guinea on 18 August 1969. Their first wins came soon after; 36–0 over Wallis and Futuna and 28–12 against New Caledonia to win the bronze medal.[1] Since then have played in only a small number of internationals, but did win bronze again in Port Moresby at the 9th South Pacific Games.
Solomon Islands have yet to qualify for the Rugby World Cup finals. The team did take part in the qualifying tournaments in Oceania for the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia, and the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France, but did not end up qualifying.
History
In November and December 2011, Solomon Islands competed in the Eastern Regional Pool of the 2011 FORU Oceania Cup. All matches were played at Lloyd Robson Oval in Port Moresby. In their first match, on 29 November, Solomon Islands recorded a notable 22–19 victory over the more fancied former champions Niue.[2] This was followed by a 33–15 loss to host nation, Papua New Guinea.[3] In their final pool match, Solomon Islands defeated Vanuatu 48–20 to finish second in the pool, behind Papua New Guinea. This victory set a new record winning margin for the Solomon Islands, eclipsing the previous best of 11–3, also against Vanuatu, in 2001. By virtue of their wins at the tournament, Solomon Islands climbed to an all-time high of 69th position on the IRB World Rankings, overtaking Niue in the process.[4]
Record
World Cup
| World Cup record | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Qualification status | ||||
.svg.png.webp){kind=small}  1987 | Not invited | ||||
   1991 | did not enter | ||||
 1995 | did not enter | ||||
 1999 | did not enter | ||||
| 2003 | did not qualify | ||||
| 2007 | did not qualify | ||||
| 2011 | did not enter | ||||
 2015 | did not qualify | ||||
 2019 | did not qualify | ||||
Overall
| Against | Played | Won | Lost | Drawn | % Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 American Samoa | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.00 |
 Cook Islands | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.00 |
 Fiji | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0.00 |
 Nauru | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
.svg.png.webp){kind=small} New Caledonia | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 50.00 |
 Niue | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 66.66 |
 Papua New Guinea | 8 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0.00 |
 Tahiti | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 75.00 |
 Tonga | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.00 |
 Vanuatu | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 75.00 |
 Wallis and Futuna | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Total | 28 | 11 | 17 | 0 | 39.29 |
Current squad
On July 30, the 31-man squad was selected for the 2019 Oceania Rugby Cup.
| Player | Position | Date of birth (age) | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lavern Tuhatangata | Hooker |  Matangiki Rugby Club | |
| Rodney Kavamauri | Hooker | 18 February 1983 | TIA Rugby Club |
| Kasoa Watkin | Prop | 22 August 1984 | TIA Rugby Club |
| Micky Tufunga | Prop | TIA Rugby Club | |
| Sifina Rukia | Prop | Islanders Rugby Club | |
| Huddy Hou | Prop | 18 April 1988 | Matangiki Rugby Club |
| Edward Tangimoana | Prop | Matangiki Rugby Club | |
| Ezekiel Mana | Prop | Islanders Rugby Club | |
| Sunigeva Nasiu | Lock | Avaiki Rugby Club | |
| Jack Akao | Lock | Henderson Hammerheads | |
| Eddie Aete'e | Lock | Sosa Rugby Club | |
| Kevin Muna | Lock | TIA Rugby Club | |
| Sonney Delaiverata | Lock | Henderson Hammerheads | |
| Daniel Saomatangi | Flanker | Avaiki Rugby Club | |
| PJ Lakoa | Flanker | Diesel Rugby Club | |
| Saga Sade Samani | Flanker | Henderson Hammerheads | |
| Vince Tohuika | Flanker | Matangiki Rugby Club | |
| Castro Teaheniu | Number 8 | Matangiki Rugby Club | |
| Paul Tema | Number 8 | University of Queensland | |
| Felix Galo | Scrum-half | Henderson Hammerheads | |
| Charlie Tenge | Scrum-half | Police Rugby Club | |
| Ronnie Saomatangi | Fly-half | TIA Rugby Club | |
| Edwin John | Fly-half | Matangiki Rugby Club | |
| Roman Tongaka | Centre | Avaiki Rugby Club | |
| Laban Taika | Centre | Matangiki Rugby Club | |
| Moana Tepuke | Centre | Matangiki Rugby Club | |
| Bobby Sade | Centre | Henderson Hammerheads | |
| Timo Sanga | Wing | Avaiki Rugby Club | |
| Eddie Sanga | Wing | Avaiki Rugby Club | |
| Chris Saru | Wing | 23 June 1993 | Henderson Hammerheads |
| Mathew Qwaina | Fullback | Henderson Hammerheads | |
| Moses Sinugamoana | Fullback | Avaiki Rugby Club |
External links
- Solomon Islands on IRB.com
- Solomon Islands on Rugbydata.com
- Solomon Islands at the Federation of Oceania Rugby Unions (FORU)
- Solomon Islands Official Games
References
- "Complete results 3rd South Pacific Games". Pacific Islands Monthly. Vol. 40, no. 9. Pacific Publications. 1 September 1969. pp. 36–37.
- "Sport: First round wins for PNG and Solomons in Oceania Rugby Cup". Radio New Zealand International. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
- "Pukpuks Rise". The National, Sport. The National. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
- "Solomon Islands climb to new high in rankings". Federation of Oceania Rugby Unions. Federation of Oceania Rugby Unions. Archived from the original on 22 January 2012. Retrieved 6 December 2011.