Semi Kunatani Explained

Semi Kunatani, OF
Birth Date:27 October 1990
Birth Place:Nadi, Fiji
Height:1.92 m
Weight:100 kg
Ru Currentteam:Castre
Ru Position:Lock/Flanker
Ru Amateurclubs:Yamacia
Ru Clubyears:2015–2018
2018–2020
2020–
Ru Proclubs:Toulouse
Harlequins
Castres
Ru Clubcaps:29
11
Ru Clubpoints:(25)
(15)
Ru Nationalyears:2017
Ru Nationalteam:Fiji
Ru Nationalcaps:10
Ru Nationalpoints:(15)
Repsevensyears1:2013–
Repsevensteam1:Fiji

Semi Kunabuli Kunatani (born 27 October 1990) is a Fiji rugby union[1] player. He plays for the Fiji sevens team and also the Tel Aviv Heat.[2] He previously played for Top 14 side Castres and Top 14 side, Stade Toulousain and Premiership Rugby side Harlequins. Kunatani debuted for Fiji in 2013 Dubai Sevens tournament.

Career

Kunatani started his career playing rugby in the local 7's competition. He played for the Yamacia 7's side[3] and was selected by Ben Ryan to represent the Fiji National Sevens side in Dubai 2013, following the 2013 win at the Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens where he was a stand out player.

Semi's highs this 2014–2015 World Rugby Sevens season include having scored a total of 37 tries in the series thus far, being named in three World Rugby Dream Teams' (Gold Coast, Las Vegas and Glasgow) and most recently Semi was recognised by Sir Gordon Tietjens when he was named by Sir Gordon in his Hong Kong 7s Dream Team. Listing Semi Kunatani on his bench in an all time Best Sevens team, joining the likes of Waisale Serevi, Jonah Lomu, David Campese, Eric Rush and many other greats of the game.

Semi has signed with Toulouse in the French T14, beginning his career in the 2015–16 season and will continue to represent Fiji Sevens if and when selected by national coach Ben Ryan.

Semi became an Olympian at Rio 2016 playing in all 6 matches of the Olympics and helping Fiji win their first ever Olympic gold medal when Fiji thrashed Great Britain 43-7 in the final. Semi was a major factor in the final playing a significant role in 4 tries of the first half. This saw Semi join Osea KOLINISAU and Josua Tuisova in the Rio 7s Dream Team.

On 25 August 2018, Kuntani travels to England to join Harlequins in the Gallagher Premiership from the 2018-19 season.[4]

He rejoined the Top 14 when he signed for Castres ahead of the 2020–21 season.[5]

Kunatani was part of the Fiji sevens team that won a silver medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.[6] [7] [8]

In 2023 he played for the international Israeli rugby side, the Tel Aviv Heat

Statistics

World Rugby Sevens Series

SeasonStatisticsFinal rankingTournaments played Victory Runners-up Third places
MatchesTries
2013–143293rd6/91 Dubai02 Glasgow and Wellington
2014–1552401st9/94 Gold Coast ; Las Vegas ; Hong Kong and Glasgow03 Dubai ; Shibuya and London
2015–16125-2/6002 Wellington et Sydney
Total9654-17507

Awards and honours

After the 2016 Summer Olympics, Kunatani was awarded the Officer of the Order of Fiji.[9]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Rampaging Semi . Naisa Koroi . February 15, 2015 . Fiji Sun.
  2. Web site: Semi Kunatani | THE TEAM. TelAvivHeat.com.
  3. Web site: Injuries keep Fiji 7s star Semi Kunatani out of Marist Sevens . Shelvin Singh . February 27, 2015 . Mai Life Magazine.
  4. News: Semi Kunatani: Harlequins sign Toulouse back-rower. BBC Sport. 25 August 2018. 22 May 2020.
  5. News: TRANSFER Harlequins confirm another major departure. Ruck. 4 June 2020.
  6. Web site: Tavi . Karalaini . Fiji 7's squad named for Birmingham Games . 2 August 2022 . fbcnews.com.fj.
  7. Web site: Fiji Rugby names squads for Commonwealth Games Sevens . 2 August 2022 . rnz.co.nz.
  8. Web site: Prasad . Vashneel . 2022-08-01 . Team Fiji Men's and Women's teams settle for silver medals at Commonwealth Games . 2022-08-04 . Official Website of Fiji Rugby Union . en.
  9. Web site: Medals of honour. Talebula Kate. The Fiji Times. August 26, 2016.