Coral Coast Fiji 7s 2026 Pools and Teams – Strong Asian Representation

The Coral Coast Fiji 7s 2026 will take place from 15-17 January at Lawaqa Park – the tournament is considered one of the toughest 7s tournaments outside of the current HSBC SVNS World Series.

Already confirmed are several national women’s, men’s, and youth teams, including from Asia – the Chinese national women, Japan SDS Men and U18 SDS Boys sides, the UAE 7s Men (now withdrawn), and the Chennai Bulls from India’s RPL.

Updates through January 2o26

Mike Friday Select 7s

Once again, the former USA 7s Head Coach will assemble a Select 7s Men’s team to participate with some of the best players who have played the game. Tournament Founding Chairman Jay Whyte said, “The Mike Friday Select team has always showcased some of the best international and local rugby talent.”

Retired international Perry Baker will be making his debut with the side in Fiji. “I’ve always wanted to experience Fiji and the Coral Coast 7s for myself. The tournament is internationally known, the fans are incredible, and the atmosphere is something every player hears about. I’m truly excited to get out there, play some great rugby, and feel that Fijian energy firsthand.”

Former Wales 7s player, Luke Treharne, now based in Hong Kong, is among those included. Head Coach Mike Friday said of him, “Luke is a coach’s dream. He’s a meticulous student of the game, a natural leader, and someone who elevates the players around him. What he brings on and off the field is invaluable, and we’re thrilled to have him back in the Select jersey for 2026.”

The team has seen several changes to the one that was originally announced*

• Jerry Tuwai – Olympic champion, Fiji 7s ((Withdrawn due to personal reasons)* Replaced by Samisoni Sadole*
• Semi Kunatani – Olympic champion, Fiji 7s
• Terry Kennedy – Former Ireland 7s & World 7s player of the Year
• Jordan Conroy – Former Ireland 7s
• Harry McNulty – Former Ireland 7s
• Luke Treharne – Former Wales 7s
• Gillies Kaka – Former All Blacks 7s (Withdrawn due to injury)*
• Matai Leuta – Former USA 7s
• Perry Baker – Two-time World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year, USA 7s
• Sevuloni Mocenacagi – Olympic Silver, Fiji 7s
• Manueli Maisamoa
• Malakai Tobau
• Akuila Momo
• Ilikimi Torosi (Withdrawn) – Replaced by Josese Rokoua*
• Waisea Nacuqu – Olympic Silver, Fiji 7s (Withdrawn) – Replaced by Sairuisi Vunisa*

Coral Coast Fiji 7s 2026 Ambassadors

Three ambassadors were named for the 2026 edition of the Coral Coast Fiji 7s: Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Jerry Tuwai*, and Rosko Specman.

*However, in the week leading up to the tournament, Tuwai was withdrawn as the ambassador with the organisers saying: “Tournament organisers of the 2026 McDonald’s Coral Coast Fiji 7s wish to advise that Jerry Tuwai, one of the three tournament appointed Ambassadors for 2026, has made the difficult decision to step back from all formal and scheduled ambassador engagements as he takes time to grieve a personal loss.”

Portia Woodman-Wickliffe is the inaugural women’s inductee into the Rugbytown Walk of Fame and has a long list of accolades in 7s and 15s rugby.

Tournament Director Jay Whyte said Woodman-Wickliffe’s appointment is a historic moment for the Coral Coast 7s and for women’s rugby: “Portia Woodman-Wickliffe has transformed the women’s game through her brilliance and humility. She’s a true ambassador of rugby values, and it’s an honour to celebrate her legacy as both our first female Ambassador and the first woman to be inducted into the RugbyTown Walk of Fame. This recognition is long overdue.”

The tournament has announced the creation of the Portia Woodman-Wickliffe Medal, which will be awarded to the Women’s Top Try Scorer in the Shangri-La Yanuca Island Fiji Women’s Division.

Fijian 7s legend Jerry Tuwai was also named as the tournament ambassador for 2026 and was due to play. He is set to be inducted into the RugbyTown Walk of Fame. He has since withdrawn from both roles (see above).

Rosko Specman, the South African Sevens legend, is also an official Ambassador for the 2026 McDonald’s Coral Coast 7s.

Women’s Division Pools – Coral Coast Fiji 7s 2026

The Women’s divisions at the Coral Coast Fiji 7s 2026 include ten elite women’s teams from Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, and China.

The Chinese Women will be competing at the tournament for the first time and have actually entered two teams as they prepare for the HSBC SVNS Division 2 in 2026.

They will face some strong teams, including the Fijiana women’s national sevens team, who return to the 2026 McDonald’s Coral Coast Fiji 7s chasing a third consecutive title in the Shangri-La Yanuca Island Women’s Division.

Fijiana Head Coach Richie Walker said, “To be in a position where we’re chasing three in a row is special, but we know it will take our very best with the quality of teams coming to Sigatoka.”

Tournament organisers added, “This is without question the strongest women’s field we’ve assembled. With national teams, elite development sides and top-performing club teams, every match in both pools will matter. Fans can expect fast, physical and fearless rugby throughout the weekend.”

China Team 1 are in Pool A with Fijiana, while China Team 2 are in Pool B where the NZ Women are the top seeds.

Pool Women A

• Fijiana 7s (Fiji) – Top Seed
• Manly Mermaids (Australia)
• China 7s – Team 1 (China)
• Bilo Bar Aflame Women’s (Fiji)
• Lillians Amazon (Fiji)

Pool Women B

• New Zealand Women’s 7s – Top Seed
• Pacific Nomads (Australia)
• Briars (Australia)
• China 7s – Team 2 (China)
• Say No To Drugs Police Blue (Fiji)

Men’s Division Pools – Coral Coast Fiji 7s 2026

The tournament started in 2010 with 24 teams, and they aim to have 24 Men’s teams in 2026. The Men’s 7s teams will be competing for the prestigious i-Wau Trophy and a tournament’s record-breaking FJ$50,000 first prize.

The United Arab Emirates 7s were a late withdrawal from the tournament.

Pool Men A

• Fiji Babas
• Seattle Barbarians
• Nationwide Sydney Nadi 7s
• Police Blue – Defending champions

Pool Men B

• New Zealand Men’s Development 7s – Coached by former NZ 7s star Scott Curry
• Bula Bay 7s
• Y-is Kava Vacalea
• Ravuka Sharks

Scott Curry said of having the NZ 7s Development team involved, “The Coral Coast Fiji 7s is one of the toughest and most exciting tournaments on the planet. For our development players, there’s no better place to test themselves than Fiji, where the standard is incredibly high, and the passion for the game is unmatched.”

Pool Men C

• USA 7s – Coached by former USA international Zack Test
• Mike Friday Select team
• Axellerate Dominion Brothers
• Chennai Bulls – The Rugby Premier League (India) champions, coached by Ben Gollings.

Pool Men D

• Aussie Select 7s
• NZ Fiji Cavaliers
• SRS Henibua 7s
• USO Tasi

Pool Men E

• Japan SDS
• British Army 7s
• Fijian Drua 7s
• Yaro Chiefs

Pool Men F

• Wardens
• Sydney Fijians Rugby 7s – The side includes Henry Speight
• Pacific Warriors – Includes Tevita Daugunu & Fijian reps Napolioni Bolaca, Wane Raturaciri and Kenya 7s Rover Jone Kubu
• Devo Babas

BRED Bank Youth Division Pools

The 16 teams competing for the BRED Bank Youth Division include teams from Fiji, Australia and Japan.

BRED Bank CEO Pierre Tastet said, “The BRED Bank Youth Division is about creating opportunity, building confidence and giving young athletes the chance to test themselves on a major stage,” Tastet said. “Rugby plays a powerful role in shaping character and leadership, and we are proud to support a competition that invests in the future of our youth and our communities.”

The Japan SDS U18 Youth Boys are in Pool C with Village Boys U20s, TEMC Birdland Brothers, and Shogun Fiji Highlanders

Pool Youth A

• Southland Broncos
• Sydney Bula
• Taveuni Grassroot Fiji
•  JVJQ Brothers

Pool Youth B

• Dominion Brothers
• Sunnybank Dragons
• Aqua Pro Savuiqali
• Tubarua

Pool Youth C

• U18 Japan SDS
• Village Boys U20s
• TEMC Birdland Brothers
•  Shogun Fiji Highlanders

Pool Youth D

• Serevi Select Youth 7s
• Bilo Bar Aflame Brothers
• DAG QVSOB
• St Theresa Nukubalavu Savusavu

All of the results for all divisions can be seen here.

Confirmed Asian Squads

Photo Credit – FBC – Men’s Captains Coral Coast 7s 2026

Chennai Bulls Select

• SINGH, Prashant (Captain) (India)
• MAHJI, Ganesh (India 7s & RPL Mumbai Dreamers Team)
• ROY, Summit (India 7s & RPL Hyderabad Heroes)
• PUNI, Deepak (India & RPL Delhi Redz)
• NABUTOKERE, Paula
• WAQA, Watisoni
• TUVUSA, Meli
• TAVAI, Inoke
• VAKACEGU, Penijameni
• BACAIVALU, Ponipate
• MACANAWAI, Moceletu
• NASILASILA, Jolene
• RATU, Gabrielle

Japan SDS Men

• SHIRAKUNI, Ryodai
• HIROSE, Kanta
• TSUOKA, Shotaro
• YOSHIMOTO, Shoki
• KOGA, Yoshiyuki (Captain)
• GOTO, Shota
• TOKITO, Riku
• SHIWACHI, Toma
• UEMURA, Haruhiko
• NAKANO, Takemichi
• OUCHI, Ren
• OGITA, Naoya
• NABETELEVU, Jone Turaganivalu

Photo Credit – FBC – Women’s Captains Coral Coast 7s 2026

China 1 Women

• ZHENG, Wenyan
• DOU, Xinrong
• SUN, Yue
• CHEN, Can
• GE, Chenjie
• CHEN, Ziying
• WANG, Zhaojing
• ZHANG, Le
• HUA, Beibei
• QIAN, Xin
• JI, Wenyu
• GAO, Xiaoyang
• ZHANG, Rui
• KANG, Chengtian

China 2 Women

• ZHU, Siyuan
• LIU, Shiying
• GE, Junxue
• CAO, Wenhan
• CHEN, Yan
• CHEN, Yutong
• WU, Qin
• ZHOU, Mengru
• WENG, Bijia
• REN, Jieyu
• CHEN, Li
• WANG, Fangyu
• LIU, Zihan
• ZHANG, Ya

Photo Credit – FBC – Youth Boys U18 Captains Coral Coast 7s 2026

Japan SDS U18 Boys

• AKAHO, Kotaro
• FUKUYAMA, Ryuki
• KOIKE, Keitaro
• MIYASHITA, Shun (Captain)
• SHIRATANI, Reo
• CHO, Kazuki
• FUNAKI, Ritsu
• KITO, Takumi
• IIZUMI, Kanta
• IWAKIRI, Kojiro
• IIZUMI, Kanta
• HANDA, Etsuto
• TANAKA, Jayce Kairi
• RIABCEV, Rio

How To Watch Coral Coast Fiji 7s 2026

There is free entry for all spectators attending in person at Lawaqa Park. The livestreams will be available to watch the games, but are behind a paywall on viti.plus for $99FJD for international viewers.

All Image Credits – Coral Coast Fiji 7s

Rugby 7s News

• Thailand Women’s Rugby 7s Are Aiming For the Global Stage.
• Anna Caplice – Coaching Lao Rugby & Challenging Perceptions.
• HSBC SVNS Singapore 2026 Pools Confirmed.
• The Vengaboys Confirmed To Perform at 50th Anniversary Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2026.