Fiji's speciality is sevens rugby and despite producing many wonderfully gifted players over the years, they have never made it past the last eight of the 15-man World Cup; neither has the talent drain of some of their best players to New Zealand and Australia helped the Fijian cause.
Despite a 74-13 beating at the hands of the All Blacks in the first World Cup, in 1987, Fiji did qualify for the last eight, thanks to an impressive win against Argentina. But they lost that quarter-final match to eventual finalists France, going down 31-16 in Auckland.
They endured a terrible time in the next couple of tournaments. In 1991 they finished bottom of their group, losing all three of their matches, including shock defeats at the hands of Romania and Canada. Four years on they failed to even qualify for the 1995 tournament in South Africa.
The Fijians found their feet again in 1999, qualifying for the quarter-final playoffs, where they went down bravely to England, but in 2003 it was back down to earth with a bump, as they failed to escape from a tough group that also contained France and Scotland.
Perhaps their strongest overall World Cup performance came at the most recent tournament, in 2007. Fiji beat Wales 38-34 - an all-time classic - to finish second of their pool behind Australia, before giving eventual winners South Africa a real scare in the last eight, before going down 37-20 in Marseille.
They have the chance to get one over on the Welsh again in 2011, plus a potentially bruising tie against Samoa that should sent shockwaves around the world.
World Cup squad:
Forwards: Campese Ma'afu, Deacon Manu (captain), Setefano Somoca, Waisea Daveta, Viliame Veikoso, Tuapati Talemaitoga, Sunia Koto, Seko Kalou, Leone Nakarawa, Wame Lewaravu, Rupeni Nasiga, Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Sisa Koyamaibole, Akapusi Qera, Netani Talei, Masi Matadigo, Malakai Ravulo.
Backs: Nemia Ranuku, Vitori Buatava, Waisea Luveniyali, Seremaia Bai, Nicky Little, Albert Vulivuli, Gabirieli Lovobalavu, Ravai Fatiaki, Vereniki Goneva, Napolioni Nalaga, Michael Tagicakibau, Kini Murimurivalu, Iliesa Keresoni
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