Solomon Islands national rugby union team

Summary

The Solomon Islands national rugby union team represent Solomon Islands in the sport of rugby union.

Solomon Islands
Shirt badge/Association crest
UnionSolomon Islands Rugby Union Federation
Head coachCorey Chapman
First colours
World Rugby ranking
Current106 (as of 29 January 2024)
Highest69 (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)

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 edit

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 edit

World Cup edit

World Cup record
Year Qualification status
   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 edit

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
  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 edit

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 (1983-02-18) 18 February 1983 (age 41)   TIA Rugby Club
Kasoa Watkin Prop (1984-08-22) 22 August 1984 (age 39)   TIA Rugby Club
Micky Tufunga Prop   TIA Rugby Club
Sifina Rukia Prop   Islanders Rugby Club
Huddy Hou Prop (1988-04-18) 18 April 1988 (age 35)   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 (1993-06-23) 23 June 1993 (age 30)   Henderson Hammerheads
Mathew Qwaina Fullback   Henderson Hammerheads
Moses Sinugamoana Fullback   Avaiki Rugby Club

External links edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Complete results 3rd South Pacific Games". Pacific Islands Monthly. Vol. 40, no. 9. Pacific Publications. 1 September 1969. pp. 36–37.
  2. ^ "Sport: First round wins for PNG and Solomons in Oceania Rugby Cup". Radio New Zealand International. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
  3. ^ "Pukpuks Rise". The National, Sport. The National. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
  4. ^ "Solomon Islands climb to new high in rankings". Federation of Oceania Rugby Unions. Archived from the original on 22 January 2012. Retrieved 6 December 2011.