The Solomon Islands national rugby union team represent Solomon Islands in the sport of rugby union.
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. 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. This was followed by a 33–15 loss to host nation, Papua New Guinea. 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.
Record Rugby World Cup record Rugby World Cup record Year Qualification status 1987Not Invited 1991Did Not Enter 1995Did Not Enter 1999Did Not Enter 2003Did Not Qualify 2007Did Not Qualify 2011Did Not Enter 2015Did Not Qualify 2019Did Not Qualify 2023Did Not Enter 2027Did Not Enter 2031To be determined
Overall Below is a table of the representative rugby matches played by a Solomon Islands national XV at test level up until 10 November 2022, updated after match with .
Opponent Played Won Lost Drawn % Won 2 0 2 0 0% 1 0 1 0 0% 2 0 2 0 0% 1 1 0 0 % 1 0 1 0 0% 3 2 1 0 % 10 1 9 0 % 2 0 2 0 0% 4 3 1 0 % 1 0 1 0 0% 5 4 1 0 % Total 32 11 21 0 %
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 TIA Rugby Club Kasoa Watkin Prop TIA Rugby Club Micky Tufunga Prop TIA Rugby Club Sifina Rukia Prop Islanders Rugby Club Huddy Hou Prop 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 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