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Celebrating 10 Years Of The Coral Coast Sevens

I’m sure you would agree we have come a long way having since such humble beginnings welcoming a host of international teams, the introduction of the women’s tournament and soon after the youth tournament solidifies the event as the Pacific’s premier sevens tournament

Tournament director, Jay Whyte
During the celebration of the 10th McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast Sevens at the Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort on January 15, 2020. Photo: Waisea Nasokia
During the celebration of the 10th McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast Sevens at the Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort on January 15, 2020. Photo: Waisea Nasokia

Sevens legends, sponsors and stakeholders celebrated the 10th McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast Sevens at the Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort on Wednesday night.

Tournament director Jay Whyte said there has been a great success in the last 10 years.

He said they are proud to welcome back past ambassadors including Karl Te Nana, Ben Gollings, Lote Tuqiri, and Viliame Satala.

“A very special welcome to Nadene, Brayley and Dhyreille Lomu here with us.

“The late Jonah Lomu was our 2012 ambassador.

Sigatoka River Safari has sponsored the JONAH LOMU MEDAL since its inception in 2012 when Jonah was the Tournament Ambassador. We were so lucky to have the late great legend's sons Brayley and Dhyreille on hand to present this prestigious award to the Tournament's Top Try Scorer Ratu Meli Kunadrau from the Mango Bay Ratu Filise Team.
Sigatoka River Safari has sponsored the JONAH LOMU MEDAL since its inception in 2012 when Jonah was the Tournament Ambassador. We were so lucky to have the late great legend’s sons Brayley and Dhyreille on hand to present this prestigious award to the Tournament’s Top Try Scorer Ratu Meli Kunadrau from the Mango Bay Ratu Filise Team.

“We have celebrated some significant milestones along the way..

“ I’m sure you would agree we have come a long way having since such humble beginnings welcoming a host of international teams, the introduction of the women’s tournament and soon after the youth tournament solidifies the event as the Pacific’s premier sevens tournament,” he said.

Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort manager Russell Blaik said: “We are proud to be one of the founding sponsors of the event having been involved since its inception in 2010.

“I personally have been indirectly involved since 2010 but held an active role on the committee since 2011 and it is a time of year I look forward to immensely.”

McDonald’s Fiji managing director Marc McElrath said they are very privileged to be invited to sponsor the 10th year event.

“Organising everything in Fiji is very difficult. Maybe you’ve been watching this for many years and very excited to be involved,” he said.

“Playing rugby in Nadroga is tough, here in the Lawaqa Park when you’ve got so many things to play against so it’s going to be very interesting.

“McDonald’s is still a very small company in Fiji. We are growing slowly and were are very interested in rugby development.”

McElrath added that they are also hoping to grow the relationship in coming years.

“We would like to see some over six overseas teams coming through maybe a few more Pacific Islands teams in the future to see how it goes from here.”

10th McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast Sevens
10th McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast Sevens