After playing for the blues in the 2000,[2] He was selected into the New Zealand sevens side[3] he made his debut for the Otago Highlanders in 2001.

Tanivula was named player of the NPC in 2003 after his brilliance performance in guiding the Auckland side to another victory as they retained the title.

A few weeks later he turned the table in Hong Kong when Fiji defeated South Africa and claimed a first win in 2 years.

He then coached the side to the 2009 World Games where Fiji defeated Portugal to retain their gold medal.

Fiji lost at the 2009 London Sevens but won a week later at Murrayfield and finished 2nd in the season under Tanivula's guidance.