Alifereti Dere, a Fijian rugby union player and coach, died on February 11, 2026.
He played as a flanker and represented Fiji at international level, making his first cap against Wales in Suva on March 31, 1986. He was part of Fiji’s 1991 Rugby World Cup roster and played three matches at the tournament, with his last cap coming against Romania in Brive-la-Gaillarde.
Dere also played for the Army Rugby Club in Suva and was named head coach of the Fiji national rugby sevens team in November 2011.
Alifereti Dere (29 September 1961 – February 2026) was a Fijian rugby union footballer and coach. He played as a flanker. Along with fellow Fijian rugby players Mesake Rasari, Niko Baleiverata, Fili Seru, Kinivuwai Ratuvio, Pita Naruma, Etuate Gusuivalu, Manasa Bari, Marika Vunibaka and Pauliasi Tabulutu, he gained widespread success in the sport of rugby. He played also for the Army Rugby Club, from Suva.