Semi Kunatani has been selected in Mike Friday McDonald's select team

Semi Kunatani has been selected in Mike Friday McDonald's select team that will take part in the 2026 McDonald’s Coral Coast Fiji 7s.

Friday says Kunatani, an Olympic gold medallist and one of Fiji’s most feared and beloved sevens athletes, will suit up for the star-studded invitational side.

He says Kunatani who is widely regarded as one of the most dominant forwards to ever play the sport, sends a powerful message to the rest of the field.

Organizers of the 7s tournament say the Navosa native and hometown hero known across the rugby world as the beast will bring his trademark power, offloading brilliance, and unstoppable work rate back to Lawaqa Park, where he has delivered countless unforgettable performances.

Kunatani will join forces with fellow Olympic champion Jerry Tuwai and returning Irish dynamo Harry McNulty, forming one of the most formidable cores ever assembled under the Mike Friday banner.

They say more high-profile player announcements are set to follow, building anticipation for what is shaping up to be the tournament’s most electrifying edition yet.

Founding Chairman Jay Whyte says Kunatani is a once-in-a-generation talent and a true icon of the game and to have him return to the Coral Coast 7s—representing his province, his people, and the global sevens family—is incredibly special.

He says pairing him with Tuwai and Harry gives the Mike Friday Select a world-class presence both on and off the field.

Head Coach Friday echoed that excitement saying Kunatani is an absolute force in sevens rugby and his power, athleticism, and passion lift everyone around him.

He says he plays with a ferocity that inspires teammates and terrifies opponents.

Friday stresses that bringing him into this group sets the tone for the type of rugby they intend to play in 2026.

He says as the McDonald’s Coral Coast Fiji 7s continues its rise as the world’s premier invitational sevens event, the addition of global icons like Kunatani underscores the tournament’s status as a magnet for international talent and a celebration of the sport’s very best.

The 2026 tournament will once again unite the world of sevens in Sigatoka, delivering breathtaking rugby, world-class entertainment, and a uniquely Fijian experience for fans and players alike.

The Coral Coast McDonald's sevens will begin on the 15th to the 17th of January 2026.