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Jone Naqica

Jone Naqica (born March 26, 1980) is an American former rugby union player who currently works as a rugby coach. He represented the United States in rugby sevens and the traditional fifteens version of the game. He debuted for the United States vs England in 2001 and retired from playing international rugby as the highest-scoring USA player in 2010.

Youth and Early Career

Naqica was born in Suva, Fiji. He started playing rugby in his youth on Naluwai Ground while attending Rara District School in the interior of Naitasiri. Naqica was educated at Bucalevu Secondary School and Ratu Kadavulevu School as he began to show his skills, pace and athleticism. He then joined Tagimaucia Rugby Club in Taveuni before moving to the United States and played with the Denver Barbarians and San Francisco Golden Gate. He was part of the SFGG team that won the 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2013 Rugby Super League XV's National Championships. Naqica also won MVP awards in 2001 and 2005 National All-Star 7's Championships, where his impressive playmaking skills, scoring ability and fitness led the West team to multiple Championship runs.

U.S. National Team (15s)

Naqica was only 20 when he joined the Eagles 15s team and finally made his debut in San Francisco in 2001, scoring two tries against England. He was capped eight more times for the 15s team before concentrating on 7s. Naqica has been in consideration for a place at the 2003 and 2007 Rugby World Cup, but ultimately did not make both rosters due to injury.

U.S. National team (7s)

Naqica played Flyhalf for USA 7's team in 45 total tournaments from 2001 to 2010, serving as Team Captain in 24 of those Tournaments including Cup winners at the 2006 Bangkok 7's. He played 97 games for the USA 7s team in World Series events, totaling 411 points with 35 tries including an 83% success rate in kicking conversions.

Coaching Career

In the summer of 2010, Naqica began his coaching journey as a player/coach with SFGG 7's and then transitioned to assistant coach of SFGG Club side. He also was the high school JV rugby team Head Coach at San Francisco Golden Gate. During that time, he was also the Backs coached at Santa Clara University and remained the Head Coach for the San Fracisco Sevens Team to the World Club 7's Tournaments in England and Ireland. In 2016 Naqica joined Eagle Impact Rugby Academy as a skills coach, which he still does, and in 2021 he was Head Coach and Director of the Sacramento Kaji youth programs before moving back to Colorado in 2022 where he coached with the Denver Barbarians and is currently the Head Coach for the Colorado State University Rugby program.

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