Flying Fijians Set to Face Wallabies and Scotland in 2025 Rugby Tests

Fiji’s national rugby team, the Flying Fijians, has confirmed that they will play two Test matches during the July/August international rugby window in 2025. The matches will be against the Wallabies (Australia) and Scotland, offering the team crucial opportunities to secure their place in the top 10 of the World Rugby rankings.

Confirmed Test Dates and Opponents

John Sanday, the new chairman of Fiji Rakavi Football Union Limited (FRFU), the body overseeing rugby in Fiji, confirmed the matches with RNZ Pacific. The Flying Fijians are scheduled to face the Wallabies on July 6, followed by a match against Scotland the following weekend.

  • July 6, 2025: Fiji vs. Wallabies (Australia)
  • July 13, 2025: Fiji vs. Scotland

These matches are not just about gaining experience but are also seen as important for the Flying Fijians to confirm their standing in the global rankings. As of now, Fiji is ranked 9th, just behind Australia (8th) and Scotland (6th). Fiji’s historical victory over Australia during the 2023 Rugby World Cup—ending a 69-year losing streak—has boosted their confidence going into these games.

Flying Fijians, Wallabies, Scotland rugby

A Chance to Avenger and Prove Strength

The match against Australia will be particularly intriguing, as it follows their shock defeat in the 2023 Rugby World Cup, where Fiji triumphed 22-15. This victory sent the Wallabies out of the top 10 rankings. Sanday believes the Wallabies will be eager to avenge that loss and will approach the July 6 Test with added determination, especially as it serves as a warm-up for their upcoming series against the British and Irish Lions.

Similarly, the match against Scotland will give Fiji a chance to bounce back from a tough loss in November 2024. Sanday emphasized that the match will be an opportunity to “claim a win back” over Scotland, who defeated Fiji in Murrayfield last year.

Pacific Nations Cup and World Cup Qualifying

In addition to the Test matches, the Flying Fijians will defend their Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) title in July and August. The competition, which could also serve as a qualifier for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, will see teams like Samoa and Tonga, as well as North American sides like Canada and the USA, competing for a spot in the next World Cup.

Fiji’s international matches are seen as vital preparation for this series, with the national side hoping to keep their momentum going.

Commercial and Strategic Developments for Fiji Rugby

Aside from on-field matters, Sanday revealed that the FRFU board is working hard to strengthen its commercial operations. The board is exploring ways to engage the global Fijian diaspora in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and the USA, aiming to create partnerships and secure funding and sponsorships.

Sanday also mentioned discussions with Fijian fan groups such as the 8th Man, based in Europe, to further boost the support for the Flying Fijians. He suggested introducing a subscription model to help strengthen the relationship between Fiji rugby and its growing fanbase. This model would provide fans with exclusive content and benefits, with proceeds supporting the teams and rugby development in Fiji.

Additionally, the FRFU has signed a new contract with sportswear brand Umbro, who will supply team uniforms for the next five years, replacing Nike.

Building the Future of Fiji Rugby

One of Sanday’s key priorities is to work closely with the rugby unions in Fiji, focusing on grassroots development to create pathways for future stars. He emphasized the importance of transparency and collaboration with member unions and associations to address challenges and ensure long-term growth for Fiji rugby.

With these developments, Fiji rugby is looking toward a promising future, both on and off the field.

By Chris Muir

Chris Muir is a talented SEO analyst and writer at Cumbernauld Media. With a deep passion for all things related to search engine optimization, Chris brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team. Specializing in improving website visibility and driving organic traffic, Chris utilizes cutting-edge SEO techniques to propel websites to the top of search engine rankings. Through meticulous keyword research, on-page optimization, and strategic link building, Chris helps businesses of all sizes achieve their online goals.

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