Norman Ligairi

Summary

Norman Armstrong Senibici Ligairi (born 29 January 1976 in Nadi) is a Fijian former rugby union player who usually played as a fullback. He represented Fiji at the international level in both the 15-a-side and 7-a-side game. Ligairi is to date the only Fijian to have scored two tries against the All Blacks in a game.[1]

Norman Ligairi
Birth nameNorman Armstrong Senibici Ligairi
Date of birth (1976-01-29) 29 January 1976 (age 48)
Place of birthNadi, Fiji
Height184 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight100 kg (15 st 10 lb; 220 lb)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fullback, Wing
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
Nadroga ()
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2001–2002
2002
2003–2006
2006–2009
2009–2011
Harlequins
Southland
Secom Rugguts
Brive
La Rochelle
0
7

46
47
(0)


(85)
(65)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2000–2010
2004–2006
Fiji
Pacific Islanders
47
5
(80)
(0)
National sevens team(s)
Years Team Comps
2001–2006 Fiji 8
Medal record
Men's rugby sevens
Representing  Fiji
Commonwealth Games
Silver medal – second place 2002 Manchester Team competition
Bronze medal – third place 2006 Melbourne Team competition

Biography edit

The youngest son of Abundant Life Assemblies of God evangelist the late Rev, Epi Qaidamu Ligairi and grandnephew of coup security chief and former SAS officer Major Ilisoni Ligairi.[citation needed]

Career edit

Ligairi made his international debut in May 2000 against Tonga at Nukuʻalofa, and went on to feature in four other internationals that season. In 2001 he was capped five times for Fiji, and following further Tests in June 2002 he toured the northern hemisphere in November and played in matches against Wales, Ireland and Scotland.

Following games against Argentina and Chile, Ligairi was included in the Fiji squad for the 2003 Rugby World Cup which was hosted by Australia. He scored two tries in the pool match against Japan.

Ligairi was capped twice the following year, and went on to play for the Pacific Islanders in the matches against Australia and South Africa. He was capped eight times in 2005, including touring in November. In 2006 he was a part of the Fiji sevens team which won bronze at the rugby event at the 2006 Commonwealth Games. He went on to feature in the inaugural Pacific 5 Nations for Fiji. He is currently playing for La Rochelle in the Pro D2 Competition.

He was Fiji's first choice fullback between 2000 and 2007 and he is third in Fiji's all time try scorers list with 18.

He is also the only Fijian ever to score 2 tries against New Zealand.

References edit

  1. ^ "International Rugby: The Pacific Islands' Winners XV". Pundit Arena. 19 July 2016. Retrieved 30 April 2023.[dead link]

External links edit

  • Norman Ligairi at ESPNscrum
  • Fiji profile
  • La Rochelle profile at the Wayback Machine (archived 2010-01-04) (in French)
  • Brive profile (in French)
  • Pacific Islanders profile