Livai Ikanikoda has confirmed he will retire from sevens rugby after the Marist 7s tournament in two weeks, telling teammates and management of his decision as he competes at the Fiji Bitter Nawaka 7s in Nadi which began today. The announcement marks the close of a long and resilient sevens career for the former Fiji Airways Fiji Men’s 7s representative and seasoned Police Rugby playmaker.
“I have advised the team and the management that after the Marist 7s I will be hanging up my boots, especially in 7s rugby,” Ikanikoda said, adding that this season will likely be his last playing competitively. The decision comes after many years representing both club and country in the shortened format and follows a career that has weathered serious setbacks and celebrated notable comebacks.
Ikanikoda first broke into the Fiji sevens setup during the 2011–2012 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, but a major leg injury subsequently sidelined him from the national side for nearly eight years. He staged a remarkable return to international competition and played a key role in Fiji’s campaign to win the 2019 Hong Kong Sevens — the fifth straight Hong Kong title for the country — re-establishing himself as a dependable presence in high-stakes tournaments.
Now competing in the domestic sevens circuit, Ikanikoda said the Marist 7s will be his final appearance in the format. Teammates and management have been briefed on the timetable, and the veteran plans to use the remaining months to give young players space while finishing on his own terms. “I think this will be my last year playing rugby,” he said, reflecting on the decision.
Although his playing days in sevens are coming to an end, Ikanikoda indicated he intends to stay connected to the sport through the Police Rugby setup. “I will just be supporting the coaches and staff of the Police rugby team,” he said, signalling a shift from on-field leadership to a mentorship and support role that could help develop the next generation of players from the law-enforcement club.
Ikanikoda also used the announcement as an opportunity to encourage young talent across Fiji’s grassroots tournaments to keep striving for higher honours. “There’s a lot of talent now in Fiji especially during these grassroots tournaments and I challenge all the players to work hard and chase their dreams,” he said, underscoring the role local competitions play as pathways to national selection.
The upcoming Marist 7s will now be watched not only for its competitive implications but as the likely final sevens appearance of a player whose career has spanned early international promise, a long injury layoff and a celebrated return. His retirement decision arrives amid a busy domestic sevens season that continues to feed Fiji’s international teams and shape selections for upcoming regional and global events.
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