The Army Rugby Union Senior Men’s team is proud to announce a landmark fixture as they take on the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) Rugby team for the first time on Fijian soil. This curtain-raiser match, part of their upcoming Southern Hemisphere tour, will precede the highly anticipated Tier One Test Match between the Flying Fijians and Scotland, taking place on Saturday, 12 July 2025, at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
The 38-member touring squad, comprising 26 players and 12 coaching and support staff, will travel across New Zealand, Fiji, and Australia, building towards this special moment. Among the squad are eight Fijian players and two Fijian staff members, a reflection of the deep-rooted ties between the British Army and Fiji.
“This match represents everything that is good about military rugby,” said Colonel Graham Taylor, Director of Men’s Rugby.
“The British Army is stronger for having Fijian soldiers serving in it. Army Rugby is stronger for having Fijian players in our squad. We’ve long admired the Fijian culture, their values, and their passion for rugby. To experience that first-hand on Fijian soil will be incredibly meaningful.”
This match is more than a sporting contest—it’s a symbol of our enduring partnership and mutual respect. Whilst the Army Men have met the RFMF side before, in the 2015 International Defence Rugby Championship Final, where the RFMF earned a hard-fought 30–10 win, this marks the first official tour fixture in Fiji.
The ongoing rivalry was reignited during the 2023 Defence World Cup in France, where the RFMF side played against the UK Armed Forces (UKAF) team, which draws players from across the British Army, Royal Navy, and Royal Air Force.
As hosts, the RFMF are undergoing a period of rebuilding and development. Colonel Penioni Naliva, President of RFMF Rugby, recently shared, “We’re preparing new soldiers for this next chapter in our rugby journey. The match against the British Army will be a tough test, and we’re expecting the same level of professionalism and intensity that we’ve come to know from our British counterparts.”
Beyond the white lines of the rugby pitch, this fixture stands as a tribute to the long standing ties between the British Army and the RFMF. Rugby is a universal language in both our cultures, and we hope this match not only displays our mutual respect but also celebrates the unity and friendship that service brings.
As Fiji Rugby Acting CEO Mr. Koli Sewabu said, “This fixture goes beyond sport—it’s a celebration of military brotherhood, cultural exchange, and the powerful role rugby plays in diplomacy and development. We are grateful to both military organisations for bringing this opportunity to Fijian shores.”
Kick-off is set for 12:00 PM (Local) on Saturday, 12 July 2025.
