Sereima Leweniqila (born 5 May 1990) is a Fijian rugby union player. She captained Fiji at the delayed 2021 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

Sereima Leweniqila
Leweniqila in 2022
Date of birth (1990-05-05) 5 May 1990 (age 34)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Loose forward
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2022 Fijiana Drua 6 (0)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2016–Present Fiji 8 (0)
National sevens team
Years Team Comps
Fiji

Early life

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Leweniqila hails from Nabouno, Udu, and Macuata. She also has maternal links to Namara, and Kadavu.[1][2]

Rugby career

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2017

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Leweniqila represented Fiji at the 2017 World Cup Asia/Oceania Qualifier in Hong Kong.[3][1][2]

2022

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Leweniqila was named as captain of the Fijiana Drua squad in their inaugural 2022 Super W season.[4][5] She started in their debut match against the Rebels.[6][7][8] She then faced the Reds in the second round of the competition.[9] She also featured in their 45–17 victory over the Western Force.[10] She next captained the team as they ended the Waratahs 20 game winning streak.[11][12]

The Drua defeated the Brumbies 17–7 in the final round and booked themselves a spot in the Grand Final.[13] The captaincy was given to Bitila Tawake as the Drua met the Waratahs again in the Grand Final.[14][15] Despite a last minute comeback from the Waratahs, the Drua held on to win a thrilling Grand Final.[16][17]

In May 2022, Leweniqila was selected for the Fijiana squad for two test matches against Australia and Japan.[18][19] She played in the first test against Japan.[20] She also played in the second test against Australia, it was the first meeting between the two sides.[21][22]

In September 2022, She played in a warm up match against Canada.[23] She was named as captain of the Fijiana team for the 2021 Rugby World Cup.[24]

2023

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Leweniqila led the Fijiana's in their second test against the Wallaroos on 20 May at the Allianz Stadium, her side were defeated 22–5.[25][26]

References

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  1. ^ a b Salalo, Sereana (2021-11-19). "Fijiana Forward Sereima Leweniqila Shares Her Story". Fiji Sun. Retrieved 2022-08-22.
  2. ^ a b Tavi, Karalaini (2022-04-24). "Leweniqila defies all odds". Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2022-08-22.
  3. ^ Ratulevu, Pate (2016-12-08). "Fijiana 15s Hong Kong". Official Website of Fiji Rugby Union. Retrieved 2022-08-22.
  4. ^ Cama, Akuila (2022-02-09). "Fijiana Drua squad for Super W named". Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  5. ^ Kotobalavu, Josefa (2022-02-09). "Eight overseas-based players in Fijian Drua squad for Super W". MaiTV Fiji. Retrieved 2022-08-22.
  6. ^ Williamson, Nathan (2022-03-03). "Super W: All the team news for Round One". www.rugby.com.au. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  7. ^ "Fijiana Drua name team for Super W debut". RNZ. 2022-03-04. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  8. ^ Prasad, Vashneel (2022-03-03). "Fijiana Drua team named for its inaugural Super W match". Official Website of Fiji Rugby Union. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  9. ^ Williamson, Nathan (2022-03-10). "Super W: All the team news for Round Two". www.rugby.com.au. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  10. ^ Williamson, Nathan (2022-03-17). "Super W: All the team news for Round Three". www.rugby.com.au. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  11. ^ Williamson, Nathan (2022-03-31). "Super W: All the team news for Round Five". www.rugby.com.au. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  12. ^ Turaga, Semi (2022-04-01). "Fijiana Drua ends the Waratahs 20 game winning streak with 29-10 win". www.fijivillage.com. Retrieved 2022-08-22.
  13. ^ Williamson, Nathan (2022-04-07). "Super W: All the team news for Round Six". www.rugby.com.au. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  14. ^ Williamson, Nathan (2022-04-21). "FIjiana Drua, NSW Waratahs confirm sides for Super W Grand Final". www.rugby.com.au. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  15. ^ Cabenatabua, Leone (2022-04-22). "Fijiana Duo Make Final Match 23". Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  16. ^ Williamson, Nathan (2022-04-23). "Fijiana Drua claim Super W title in epic Grand Final". www.rugby.com.au. Retrieved 2022-08-22.
  17. ^ "Fijiana Drua claim Super W championship with thrilling win over Waratahs". ABC News. 2022-04-23. Retrieved 2022-08-22.
  18. ^ "Rooster Chicken to sponsor Fijiana 15s for two historic test matches while Seruvakula names four new overseas-based players". FijiTimes. 2022-04-29. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  19. ^ Biudole, Noa (2022-04-29). "4 overseas-bases reps in Fijiana XVs squad". fijilive.com. Retrieved 2022-07-21.
  20. ^ Birch, John (2022-05-01). "Japan's winning start to Tri-Series". Scrum Queens. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  21. ^ Tucker, Jim (2022-05-06). "Wallaroos win on emotional return amid tries, tears and debuts". www.rugby.com.au. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  22. ^ Duthie, Rodney (2022-05-05). "Seruvakula names Fijiana 15s side". Fiji Times. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
  23. ^ "World Cup Warm-Up – Fiji vs Canada – ARN Guide". Americas Rugby News. 2022-09-22. Retrieved 2022-09-26.
  24. ^ Prasad, Vashneel (2022-09-21). "Seruvakula names 32-member squad for Rugby World Cup". Official Website of Fiji Rugby Union. Retrieved 2022-09-23.
  25. ^ Tinaivugona, Nina (2023-05-19). "Vodafone Fijiana 15's squad named for Wallaroos test match". Official Website of Fiji Rugby Union. Retrieved 2023-05-20.
  26. ^ Williamson, Nathan (2023-05-20). "Wallaroos send off Parry in style with Fijiana victory". www.rugby.com.au. Retrieved 2023-05-20.