Kitione Taliga (born 21 April 1993) is a Fiji rugby union player.[1][2] He is currently playing for the Fiji sevens team,[3] Kitione Taliga was selected by Coach Ben Ryan[4][5] in 2015 to represent Fiji National Sevens side at 2015–16 World Rugby Sevens Series and Taliga made his debut for Fiji 7s at the 2015 Dubai Sevens, he is known for his performance at the 2016 USA Sevens Final, when he came off the bench, ran the entire length of the field to score under the posts and also score another try from counter-attack, which marked a comeback against Australia national rugby sevens team.[6][7]

Kitione Taliga
Full nameKitione Taliga Dawai
Date of birth (1993-04-21) 21 April 1993 (age 31)
Place of birthNadi, Fiji
Height186 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Weight87 kg (192 lb; 13 st 10 lb)
SchoolRatu Navula College
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fly-half, Fullback
Current team Fijian Drua
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2017– Fijian Drua 4 (5)
Correct as of 10 February 2022
National sevens team
Years Team Comps
2015–2016 Fiji 12
Correct as of 10 February 2022
Medal record
Men's rugby sevens
Representing  Fiji
Summer Olympics
Gold medal – first place 2016 Rio de Janeiro Team competition

Taliga hails from the village of Dratabu, Nadi and attended Ratu Navula Secondary School. He made a name for himself playing local 7's tournaments with the Wardens Rugby Club. It was here where he caught the attention of Ben Ryan and was drafted into the Fiji Sevens Team.[citation needed]

Awards

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References

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  1. ^ Rusiate Baleilevuka (4 April 2016). "Taliga has more to offer". Fiji Village.
  2. ^ Rusiate Baleilevuka (5 March 2016). "Taliga to replace Mocenacagi". Fiji Village.
  3. ^ Kalesi Mele (14 March 2016). "Taliga, Dakuwaqa in top form on day 1". Fiji Times.
  4. ^ Pravin Narain (21 April 2015). "Taliga ready to impress sevens coach". Fiji Times.
  5. ^ Akuila Cama (1 May 2015). "Taliga aims to follow in viriviris footsteps". Fiji One.
  6. ^ "Fiji 21-15 Australia: World champions win Las Vegas Sevens final". Sky Sports. 5 March 2016.
  7. ^ Justine Mannan (18 April 2016). "Taliga Strikes Again". Fiji Sun.
  8. ^ Rusiate Baleilevuka (15 March 2016). "Kitione Taliga wins Vancouver 7s Impact Player award". Fiji Village.
  9. ^ "CANADA SEVENS IMPACT PLAYER: KITIONE TALIGA". DHL Express. 12 March 2016.
  10. ^ "AYODI & TALIGA SPLIT SINGAPORE SEVENS IMPACT PLAYER". DHL Express. 21 April 2016.
  11. ^ "Taliga and Ayodi shine bright in Singapore". World Rugby. 21 April 2016.
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