Isaiah Ravula on Simon Raiwalui’s radar
Fiji Under 20-star, Isaiah Ravula’s performance in the recent Under 20 Rugby World Cup has caught the eyes of Flying Fijian coach Simon Raiwalui.
Saturday 12 July 2025 | 00:30
Fijian Under-20 first five eighth Isaiah Ravula during the World Rugby U20 Championship 2023, Pool B match between Ireland and Fiji at Danie Craven Stadium on July 4, 2023 in Stellenbosch, South Africa.
World Rugby
Fiji Under 20-star, Isaiah Ravula’s performance in the recent Under 20 Rugby World Cup has caught the eyes of Flying Fijian coach Simon Raiwalui.
“He (Ravula) has played well so far in the tournament and has been very good,” Raiwalui said.
However the national coach said while it was too late for Ravula to be called into the team he would certainly look at him for the future.
Related stories
“We have already worked through two weeks of preparation for the PNC and RWC so it is a bit late now,” he said yesterday.
“He will certainly be a player to look out for in the future.”
Ravula a product of St Andrew’s College in Christchurch is the nephew of All Black Richie Mo’unga. He was a star of the New Zealand schoolboy circuit.
He has paternal links to Moce in Lau, his mother is Mo’unga’s older sister.
Ravula had put up an exhilarating performance helping the Fiji side book place in the World Rugby Under 20 Championship next year.
The Junior Flying Fijians defeated Italy 41 – 26 in the 9th place semi-final to register their first win of the championship and claim a spot in the final.
They face Argentina in the 9th place final.
Raiwalui said the team was looking forward to the challenges coming in the Pacific Nations Cup and especially the opening match of the Punjas Pacific Battle where they take on Tonga next Saturday (July 22)at Churchill Park in Lautoka.
He has asked for the support from fans to come out in numbers as the Pacific challenge was huge for Fiji in its preparation for the RWC.
“The match against Tonga is huge for us as this is the only match in Fiji for us so it is important for us.”
Raiwalui described the time spent in Taveuni as a long journey and getting down to community was a reconnection of who we are, who we are doing it and who we are playing for.
He said every player in the squad was in because of merit and the Drua players were in because of that.
“The growth in the Drua players over the past two years is huge for Fiji rugby,” Raiwalui said.
Feedback: charles.chambers@fijisun.com.fj
