SportWorld Fijian U20: Talent Impresses High Performance Boss

Fiji’s rugby pathways are bearing fruit, with the country’s next generation of stars showcasing their potential at the recent Oceania Rugby U20 Challenge. The SportsWorld Fijian U20 team triumphed in the tournament, and their success has drawn praise from Fiji Rugby’s High-Performance Unit (HPU), signaling a promising future for the sport in the nation.

General Manager of Fiji Rugby’s HPU, Naca Cawanibuka, says There are some real bright spots in this group, and it reflects the great work being done behind the scenes by the coaches

 “There’s massive potential here, and some players are already putting their hands up for professional contracts. You can bet the Fijian Drua, and other scouts are watching,” said Cawanibuka. 

“A lot of work still needs to be done, but the good thing is we have a strong crop of young players coming through. Some of these boys are just 17 or 18 years old—they’re getting a 2–3-year head start in our system, which means more time to develop physically, tactically, and technically.”

The U20 squad, made up mostly of players aged 17-20, dominated the Oceania Rugby U20 Challenge, fortifying Fiji’s reputation as a nursery for world-class talent.

Head Coach Senirusi Seruvakula emphasized that the objective was long-term growth.
“Our goal is to develop these boys for the next stage—to prepare them for higher honors, including the Flying Fijians in the near future,” Seruvakula said.

FIJI Waterd Flying Fijians Head Coach Mick Byrne, who observed the tournament closely, was impressed by the young players’ performances.

“Every player who reaches this stage in their rugby journey has the potential to one day wear the Flying Fijians jersey,” Byrne stated. “They’ve already proven they have what it takes by making it this far. Now it’s about refining their skills and preparing them for the next level.”

To further their skills and game-time, Head Coach of the SportsWorld Fijian U20 is keen on developing these players onto the Fijian Warriors which he has also been tasked to look after with logistics on games to be confirmed later.