The 2021 Fiji rugby union tour of New Zealand (; ), widely known as the 2021 Steinlager Series in New Zealand for sponsorship reasons, was a two-Test tour of New Zealand by the Fiji national rugby union team during the July international window. The tour kicked off on 10 July during the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand, and finished on 17 July following New Zealand's successive victory to finish the tour with a 2–0 whitewash.

It was Fiji's first tour of New Zealand since 2003 () and their first sole tour of the country since 1997 ().

Background

In June 2021, ahead of the scheduled Fijian tour, a New Zealand Gazette notice issued by the Minister for COVID-19 Response Chris Hipkins, taken with the advise of the Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield, granted the Fijian rugby team an exemption from some requirements under the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Isolation and Quarantine) Order 2020. At the time, most people entering New Zealand had to complete managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The exemption allowed the team to enter New Zealand under strict alternative health measures instead of following the standard MIQ rules. These measures included COVID-19 testing, restricted movement, and close monitoring to minimise the risk of transmission. The exemption began on the night of 11 July and expired on 18 July.

Prior to the tour, Fiji had played just one Test match since the 2019 Rugby World Cup (): a 38–24 victory against Georgia in the Autumn Nations Cup played at Murrayfield Stadium in Scotland in December 2020. They had one Test match confirmed against Australia on 18 July 2020, to take place during the 2020 July Test window. However, due to the impacts of COVID-19, all Test matches in this period were postponed by World Rugby, and later cancelled.

New Zealand had played two Tests against Australia in October 2020 in their lead up to the 2020 Tri Nations Series, which saw them play a further four matches, followed by a one-off Test against Tonga in Auckland.

Schedule Date and time Venue Home Score Away 10 July; 19:05 NZST (UTC+12) Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin 57–23 17 July; 19:05 NZST (UTC+12) Waikato Stadium, Hamilton 60–13

Venues The tour and venues were confirmed in May 2021, with Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin and Hamilton's Waikato Stadium being announced. It was also reported that Italy had been originally planned to tour New Zealand but cancelled due to concerns around travelling during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dunedin Forsyth Barr Stadium Capacity: 30,748 Hamilton Waikato Stadium Capacity: 25,800

Squads Fiji On 15 June 2021, a 33-man squad was named for tour of New Zealand.

New Zealand New Zealand's 36-man squad for the 2021 Steinlager Series against Tonga and Fiji was announced on 21 June. On 5 July, Samisoni Taukei'aho was called into the squad as injury cover.

Test series First Test

FB 15Jordie Barrett RW 14Sevu ReeceOC 13Rieko IoaneIC 12David Havili LW 11George Bridge FH 10Beauden Barrett SH 9 Aaron Smith (c) N8 8 Hoskins Sotutu OF 7 Ethan BlackadderBF 6 Shannon FrizellRL 5 Brodie RetallickLL 4 Patrick Tuipulotu TP 3 Nepo Laulala HK 2 Codie Taylor LP 1 George Bower Replacements:HK 16Dane Coles PR 17Ethan de Groot PR 18Tyrel Lomax LK 19Sam Whitelock N8 20Luke Jacobson SH 21Finlay Christie FB 22Damian McKenzie WG 23Will Jordan Coach:Ian Foster FB 15Kini Murimurivalu RW 14Eroni Sau OC 13Waisea NayacalevuIC 12Levani Botia (c)LW 11Nemani Nadolo FH 10Ben VolavolaSH 9 Simione Kuruvoli N8 8 Albert TuisueOF 7 Mesulame Kunavula BF 6 John DyerRL 5 Leone NakarawaLL 4 Temo Mayanavanua TP 3 Mesake Doge HK 2 Samuel Matavesi LP 1 Peni Ravai Replacements:HK 16Peniami Narisia PR 17Haereiti Hetet PR 18Lee Roy Atalifo LK 19Tevita Ratuva FL 20Peceli Yato FB 21Seta Tuicuvu CE 22Eneriko Buliruarua WG 23Manasa Mataele Coach:Vern Cotter Assistant referees: Mike Fraser (New Zealand) Jono Bredin (New Zealand) Television match official: Chris Hart (New Zealand) Notes: Ethan de Groot (New Zealand) and Eneriko Buliruarua, Manasa Mataele and Peniami Narisia (all Fiji) made their international debuts.

Second Test

FB 15Damian McKenzieRW 14Will Jordan OC 13Anton Lienert-BrownIC 12David HaviliLW 11Sevu ReeceFH 10Richie Mo'unga SH 9 Aaron Smith N8 8 Luke JacobsonOF 7 Ardie SaveaBF 6 Akira Ioane RL 5 Sam Whitelock (c)LL 4 Scott Barrett TP 3 Nepo Laulala HK 2 Codie Taylor LP 1 George Bower Replacements:HK 16Samisoni Taukei'aho PR 17Ethan de Groot PR 18Angus Ta'avao LK 19Brodie Retallick FL 20Shannon Frizell SH 21Brad Weber FH 22Beauden Barrett CE 23Rieko Ioane Coach:Ian Foster FB 15Kini Murimurivalu RW 14Seta TuicuvuOC 13Waisea NayacalevuIC 12Eneriko BuliruaruaLW 11Nemani Nadolo FH 10Ben Volavola SH 9 Frank LomaniN8 8 Peceli Yato OF 7 Mesulame Kunavula BF 6 John Dyer RL 5 Leone Nakarawa (c) LL 4 Temo MayanavanuaTP 3 Mesake Doge HK 2 Sam Matavesi LP 1 Peni Ravai Replacements:HK 16Mesu Dolokoto PR 17Eroni Mawi PR 18Lee Roy Atalifo LK 19Albert Tuisue FL 20Kitione Kamikamica SH 21Moses Sorovi FH 22Teti Tela WG 23Manasa Mataele Coach:Vern Cotter Assistant referees: Graham Cooper (Australia) Jordan Way (Australia) Television match official: Aaron Patterson (New Zealand) Notes: Dane Coles (New Zealand) was named on the bench but was withdrawn due to injury and replaced by Samisoni Taukei'aho. Samisoni Taukei'aho (New Zealand) and Kitione Kamikamica, Moses Sorovi and Teti Tela (all Fiji) made their international debut. Ardie Savea and Anton Lienert-Brown (New Zealand) earned their 50th test cap.

See also 2021 July Tests

Notes

References