The Nauru national Australian rules football team represents Nauru in Australian rules football. Despite its small size and population, Nauru, which is the only country with Australian football as its national sport, consistently ranks among the top eight teams in the world.

The men's team, nicknamed the Chiefs, debuted in 1976 and finished 5th at the 2008 Australian Football International Cup. A women's team, nicknamed the Aoreni, debuted at the 2024 Pacific Cup which it won. Male and female youth sides, nicknamed the Stars, have also competed regularly since 2009.

History

Australian rules had been played on Pleasant Island as early as 1916Sydney Mail 5 Feb 1919 Page 17 AMONG THE NATIVES OF THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.FOOTBALL ACTIVITIES The Herald 19 Feb 1925 Page 3Sporting Globe 10 Oct 1925 Page 6 Australians in Nauru with regular competition between local teams from 1921. As an Australian trustee, Nauru was the only overseas league recognised and supported by the Australian National Football Council in 1929. By 1954 its popularity had grown such that it became the only football code that children played on the island.

Following Nauru’s independence in 1968 and the independence of the Australian territory of Papua New Guinea in 1975, an opportunity presented itself for a Nauruan national team to compete. The nation's first internationals occurred when the team toured Papua New Guinea a year later in 1976. Among the better players in the squad were Royong Itsimaera, Ali Iwagia, Johaness Itsimaera, Richardo Solomon, Vinson Detenamo, Manfred Depaune and Pres Nimes. Papua New Guinea went on to win the match by 129 points.

Until sometime after 1999, the team went by the nickname the Frigatebirds. In 2000, Nauru travelled to Queensland to compete in the inaugural Web Sports Cup. The side played against a team from Samoa and the Robina Roos of the AFL Queensland. Nauru won both matches. The team returned to Australia for the competition again the following year, this time defeating another two teams, including the Gold Coast Old Boys.

In November 2012 Nauru travelled to Suva to take on Fiji in a three-match test series. Nauru won the first two matches by a combined 140 points. The team re-asserted its dominance in the final match, securing the sweep with a 103 to 31 win. This test series was the first official AFL international ever held outside of Australia.

The women's team on debut. The Under 17 male side also won the cup. The men's side reached the grand final.

Players Despite the sport's popularity and the national team's success, as of 2017 no Nauruan international has played in the Australian Football League. However, in 2008 seventeen Nauruan players competed in the Victorian Football League in preparation for the 2008 Australian Football International Cup. In 2012 Yoshi Harris played a few matches for Greater Western Sydney Giants's reserve squad and in the AFL Sydney. Though shorter in stature than the average AFL player, Nauruans are fast and athletic. Not a single player in the 2008 International Cup squad was over 183cm. Because of this height, the Nauruan style is to play close to the ground and is suited to playing in wet conditions.

Stadium

As the only Australian rules ground on Nauru, the Linkbelt Oval in the Aiwo District is home to the sport on the island. However, because the pitch surface is rock and phosphate dust, and markings are drawn on the rock with oil, the ground does not meet standards for international matches. In April 2024, the Australian Defence Force visited the island and were surprised by the playing surface. At that time, the government of Australia was attempting to build Nauru a second field with a grass surface through the Australian Aid so the country could host other national teams and international competition. Other clubs and nations would not travel to Nauru previously because of the oval's surface.

Men's team The men's team, the Chiefs formed debuted in 1976.

International Cup

Nauru has participated in the Australian Football International Cup since the inaugural tournament in 2002. They have gone on to compete in every edition of the tournament, aside from 2005 when the team had to withdraw because of financial difficulties shortly before the games started. International Cup resultsYearFinishPW-L-DPFPA20028/1161-5-02692472005Withdrew20085/1654-1-038716620116/1864-2-031223820147/1854-1-041917020175/1854-1-0232235

Arafura Games

Nauru competed in the 1995 Arafura Games in Darwin, the first edition of the tournament to feature national teams. That year they were coached by former Geelong Football Club player Mark Yeates. Nauru went on to win the bronze medal that year. The Chiefs went on to win the tournament in 2001, defeating the Northern Territory Eagles in the final. The team did not compete in 1997 or 1999 despite national teams competing in the sport at those games.

Arafura Games resultsYearFinishPW-L-DPFPA19953/552-3-02332361997Did Not Enter1999Did Not Enter20011/433-0-030781

Pacific Cup

Following several failed attempts to hold an AFL International Cup because of the covid-19 pandemic, the AFL announced in 2024 that it would discontinue the tournament in favor of regional tournaments. Nauru would then compete in the inaugural edition of the AFL Pacific Cup, the first official AFL tournament since 2017. In the tournament, the Chiefs finished second, falling to Papua New Guinea in the final.

AFL Pacific Cup resultsYearFinishPW-L-DPFPA20242/542-0-2151187

Matches Date Opposition For Against Venue Winner Status Ref.11 October 1976 Papua New Guinea 5 24 Sir Hubert Murray Stadium, Port Moresby Papua New Guinea Friendly 1995 New Zealand 19 54 Marrara Oval, Darwin, Australia New Zealand 1995 Arafura Games 1995 Japan/Singapore 35 41 Marrara Oval, Darwin, Australia Japan/Singapore 1995 Arafura Games 1995 Papua New Guinea 30 52 Marrara Oval, Darwin, Australia Papua New Guinea 1995 Arafura Games 1995 Hong Kong 65 30 Marrara Oval, Darwin, Australia Nauru 1995 Arafura Games 1995 Japan/Singapore 84 59 Marrara Oval, Darwin, Australia Nauru 1995 Arafura Games (Bronze) 2001 Japan 142 9 Marrara Oval, Darwin, Australia Nauru 2001 Arafura Games 2001 Northern Territory Superules 74 37 Marrara Oval, Darwin, Australia Nauru 2001 Arafura Games 2001 Northern Territory Eagles 91 35 Marrara Oval, Darwin, Australia Nauru 2001 Arafura Games (Gold) 14 August 2002 Japan 119 14 Warrawee Park, Oakleigh, Australia Nauru 2002 International Cup 15 August 2002 Great Britain 59 65 Elsternwick Park, Elsternwick, Australia Great Britain 2002 International Cup 16 August 2002 Denmark 27 40 Whitten Oval, Melbourne, Australia Denmark 2002 International Cup 21 August 2002 Papua New Guinea 44 91 Trevor Barker Oval, Sandringham, Australia Papua New Guinea 2002 International Cup 23 August 2002 Samoa 20 37 Victoria Park, Melbourne, Australia Samoa 2002 International Cup (7/8) 27 August 2008 Papua New Guinea 20 69 Ransford Oval, Melbourne, Australia Papua New Guinea 2008 International Cup 29 August 2008 Great Britain 65 18 Western Oval, Melbourne, Australia Nauru 2008 International Cup 1 September 2008 Peres Team for Peace 177 7 Walter Oval, Warrnambool, Australia Nauru 2008 International Cup 3 September 2008 United States 45 23 Walter Oval, Warrnambool, Australia Nauru 2008 International Cup 5 September 2008 Canada 80 49 Ransford Oval, Melbourne, Australia Nauru 2008 International Cup (5/6) 13 August 2011 Japan 42 19 Blacktown International Sportspark, Sydney, Australia Nauru 2011 International Cup 13 August 2011 Fiji 42 15 Blacktown International Sportspark, Sydney, Australia Nauru 2011 International Cup 15 August 2011 Tonga 61 35 Blacktown International Sportspark, Sydney, Australia Nauru 2011 International Cup 20 August 2011 Papua New Guinea 27 110 Blacktown International Sportspark, Sydney, Australia Papua New Guinea 2011 International Cup 24 August 2011 Denmark 94 7 Ransford Oval, Melbourne, Australia Nauru 2011 International Cup 26 August 2011 South Africa 46 52 McAllister Oval, Melbourne, Australia South Africa 2011 International Cup (5/6) 16 November 2012 Fiji 147 47 Albert Park, Suva, Fiji Nauru Test series 20 November 2012 Fiji 75 35 Albert Park, Suva, Fiji Nauru Test series 23 November 2012 Fiji 103 31 Albert Park, Suva, Fiji Nauru Test series 10 August 2014 Indonesia 227 7 McAllister Oval, Melbourne, Australia Nauru 2014 International Cup 13 August 2014 Great Britain 50 29 Ransford Oval, Melbourne, Australia Nauru 2014 International Cup 16 August 2014 Ireland 39 66 Ransford Oval, Melbourne, Australia Republic of Ireland 2014 International Cup 19 August 2014 Great Britain 49 33 McAlister Oval, Melbourne, Australia Nauru 2014 International Cup 22 August 2014 United States 54 35 McAlister Oval, Melbourne, Australia Nauru 2014 International Cup (7/8) 6 August 2017 New Zealand 34 81 Ransford Oval, Melbourne, Australia New Zealand 2017 International Cup 9 August 2017 Papua New Guinea 35 84 Marty Busch Recreation Reserve, Sebastopol, Australia Papua New Guinea 2017 International Cup 12 August 2017 France 106 14 Victoria Oval, Kew, Australia Nauru 2017 International Cup 15 August 2017 Canada 56 24 Ransford Oval, Melbourne, Australia Nauru 2017 International Cup 18 August 2017 Great Britain 53 32 McAlister Oval, Melbourne, Australia Nauru 2017 International Cup (5/6) 18 November 2024 New Zealand 50 44 Maroochydore Multi Sports Complex, Maroochydore, Australia Nauru 2024 AFL Pacific Cup 20 November 2024 Fiji 55 19 Maroochydore Multi Sports Complex, Maroochydore, Australia Nauru 2024 AFL Pacific Cup 21 November 2024 Papua New Guinea 27 62 Maroochydore Multi Sports Complex, Maroochydore, Australia Papua New Guinea 2024 AFL Pacific Cup 23 November 2024 Papua New Guinea 19 62 Maroochydore Multi Sports Complex, Maroochydore, Australia Papua New Guinea 2024 AFL Pacific Cup (Gold)

Squads 2002 IC Coach: Gonzaga Namaduk Players: Alfred Spanner, Quinson Cook, Devin Grundler, Jericho Detenamo, Ramaraka Detenamo, Ken Blake, Javin Agir, Rudeen Spanner, Robert Timothy, Linko Jeremiah, Enoch Canon, Joel Joram, Aaron Canon, Paner Baguga, Merlin Taleka, Jaxon Jeremiah, Spencer Tannang, Brian Hiram, George Gioura, Jesse Uepa, Junior Dowiyogo, Raynor Tom, Vaiuli Amoc, Carlson Hartman, Paul Hartman, Xavier Namaduk, Cidro Namaduk, Slim Notte, Bayonet Aliklik, Syd Namaduk, Anthony Hiram

2008 IC Coach: Manfred Depaune Players: Trent Depaune, Priven Dame, Mallinson Batsiua, Agir Amwano, Rudin Spanner, Timothy Teabuge, Deamo Baguga, Clint Engar, Vili-Kesa Jeremiah, Torio Mwareow, George Quadina, Otto Adam, German Grundler, Brendan Waidabu, Ronpade Cook, Johnny Dagiaro, Neil Scotty, Rennier Gadabu, Nash Starr, David Dagiaro, Tiana Waidabu, Shadrach Notte, Pesky Agir, Adolph Muasau, Aronson Eobob, Derrick Seymour

2011 IC Coach: Graham Pratt Assistant Coach: Wes Illig Players: Snuka Adire, Derio Namaduk, Febriano Baguga, Jude Cook, Otto Adam, Deiri Cook, Yoshi Harris, Kingston Ika, Maska Hubert, Maverick Batsiua, Johnny Dagiaro, Donatello Moses, Reason Satto, Trent Depaune, Nash Starr, Timothy Teabuge, Ralph Teimitsi, Mallinson Batsiua, Zac Temaki, Jose Uepa, Brendan Waidabu, Tiana Waidabu, Kabureta Dannang, Robroy Grundler, Kamtaura Kamtaura, Robby Deireregea

2014 IC Coach: Paner Baguga Players: Otto Adam, Snuka Adire, Lennox Agege, Jonas Amwano, Mallinson Battsiua, Maverick Battsiua, Kazaam Baui, Ronpade Cook, Charles Dagiaro, Johnny Dagiaro, Pilo Dagiaro, Aykers Daniel, Trent Depaune, Marcus Paul Detenamo, Hess Tekai Fiolape, DJ Grundler, German Grundler, Yoshi Harris, Mikey Hiram, Kingston Ika, Tipung Kamtaura, Donatello Moses, Dave Mwaredaga, Kenneth Oppenheimer, Timothy Teabuge, Zac Temaki, Jose Uepa, Greigor Uera, Tiana Waidabu

2017 IC Coach: Zac Temaki