Rugby
16th December
Hansen: Two reasons for decision
Steve Hansen says his decision to step down as All Blacks coach after next year’s World Cup is the right decision for himself and the team he has led to new heights. Hansen announced his...
15th December
Cuvu 7s: Ravuka Sharks U19 take out top honours
RAVUKA Sharks took out top honours in the Cuvu Collegian Rugby 7s under 19 competition at Lawaqa Park this afternoon. The side survived a tough onslaught from Gaunavou of Nadi to score a winning try in the sudden death. Super sub Sikeli Nahiga was the star for his team scoring the winning try from a...
Ratu Filise stamps authority at Cuvu 7s
RATU Filise stamped its authority in this year’s Cuvu Collegian Rugby 7s open tournament. This, after both of their teams won their respective semi-final beating Fire and Saunivalu, respectively. Both managers have decided not to play in the final and shared the prize money. Fiji Airways national 7s playmaker Amenoni Nasilasila was the star attraction...
Cuvu 7s: Lautoka Crusaders crowned women’s champ
LAUTOKA Crusaders was crowned the new champions of the Cuvu Collegian Rugby 7s women’s title at Lawaqa Park this afternoon. The side thumped Nadi Blazers 19-0 to also secure its spot in the McDonald’s Coral Coast 7s next month. Former Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s rep Merewai Cumu was the toast of the Lautoka team for...
Former rugby league international Folau joins brother at Waratahs
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Former Tonga rugby league international John Folau has followed his elder brother Israel into rugby union and will join him at the New South Wales Waratahs for the 2019 Super Rugby season. The 24-year-old winger played one rugby league test for Tonga in 2014 but struggled to cement a career in the...
Two Ratu Filise teams to feature in semis
RATU Filise will have two of their teams playing in the semi finals of the Cuvu Collegian Rugby 7s tournament at Lawaqa Park this afternoon. The Ratu Filise Blue team defeated Sigatoka Young Boys 24 – 0 while the Ratu Filise Yellow team downed Caginitoba 24- 13 in their respective semi-final. Fiji Airways national 7s playmaker Amenoni Nasilasila was...
Reshuffle in ranks at Rugby House as coaching positions announced
A RESHUFFLE in the ranks at Rugby House as the Fiji Rugby Union announced the selected appointments for the positions of the Fiji Airways Fijiana Sevens coach, the Fiji Airways Fijiana XV’s coach and the positions of Strength and Conditioning coaches in both codes. FRU chief executive officer John O’Connor has highlighted that the appointments...
Namatakula Village continues to groom new players
NAMATAKULA Village continues to produce and groom new players for future games. The village has produced rugby superstars such as former Australian dual international Lote Tuqiri, Wallabies centre Tevita Kurudrani, Flying Fijians flyer Nemani Nadolo, former dual international and NRL rep Noa Nadruku and Fiji Airways national 7s rep Amenoni Nasilasila. At the Cuvu Collegian...
Future rugby stars on show in Nadroga
AN abundance of rugby talents were displayed in the first two days of the Cuvu Collegian Rugby 7s Festival held at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka yesterday. Hundreds of young players ranging from under-13 to U19 captivated the fans with rugby styles that Fijians are renowned for. The competition has four different divisions which include under-13,...
Sigatoka Young Boys rugby team take out top honours
THE Sigatoka Young Boys team took out top honours in the Cuvu Collegian Rugby 7s Festival under-17 competition at Lawaqa Park yesterday. The players last played together while at primary school and at the national Milo Kaji Rugby competition. They reunited early this week for training for the tournament. Their 15-5 win also sealed its...
Nailaga teams show clasas, Tuwai optimistic
RENOWNED for producing Fijian football stars, the youths of Nailaga, Ba, have opted for rugby 7s as a way to secure a better future. Nailaga is well known in the football arena and now some of their young men are playing rugby. For the past two years, the Nailaga under-19 rugby 7s team has been...
Ratu Filise exposes young ruggers
KNOWN as the rugby factory, the Namatakula Village-based Ratu Filise club exposed its young talents in the Cuvu Collegian Rugby 7s tournament. The under-13 rugby side lost to Young Lions of Suva in the semi-final but team manager Peniasi Max Vivalawa said the boys were content with their performance. Some of the big names produced...
Breeding stars: Fiji’s future rugby reps on show
FIJI is blessed with a lot of young rugby 7s talents which was on display at the home of rugby in Nadroga for the past two days. Hundreds of young rugby players from under-13 to U19 showcased their talents in their quest to win the top awards on offer at the Cuvu Collegian Rugby 7s Festival. The famous Waisale...
Crusaders coach Robertson ready for All Blacks – O’Gara
WELLINGTON (Reuters) – Canterbury Crusaders coach Scott Robertson is far more than the breakdancing, surfer dude that he is portrayed as and is ready to step into the All Blacks role, according to former Ireland flyhalf Ronan O’Gara. New Zealand coach Steve Hansen said earlier on Friday that he would step down following next year’s...
World Rugby appoints Mihir Warty as Director of Strategy
DUBLIN,14 DECEMBER 2018 (WORLD RUGBY) – World Rugby has announced the appointment of Mihir Warty as Director of Strategy. Warty will join the international federation’s leadership team in late February and arrives at an exciting time for the sport as it continues to penetrate new markets and experience strong fan and participation growth. As Director...
14th December
Mentor of World Cup winner Wilkinson joins Queensland Reds
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Kicking coach Dave Alred, who helped hone the skills of World Cup-winning England flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson, is joining the Queensland Reds for the 2019 Super Rugby season. Alred was a member of Clive Woodward’s coaching staff at the 2003 World Cup, which England won after beating the Wallabies 20-17 in Sydney with...
Cuvu Collegian 7s: Sigatoka Young Boys crowned champs
SIGATOKA Young Boys was crowned the champions of the Cuvu Collegian 7s under 17 competition at Lawaqa Park this afternoon. Laced with village boys from Sigatoka, the side defeated Momi Tigers 15-5 in a hard fought final. Team coach Ratu Meli Kurisaru commended his troops for their effort having won all their games throughout the...
Fijian boys ready for world tourney
THE Rugby Academy of Fiji under-18 team is expecting a tough match against the New Zealand School Boys side in their first match today in the World Schools 7s tournament in New Zealand. RAF coach Seremaia Bai said his players had acclimatised well in Auckland after they drew in a friendly match against Tonga yesterday....
Rugby legend Vidiri helps promote healthy living
FORMER Fiji and All Blacks rep Joeli Vidiri is in the country helping promote healthy living through sports. He is the New Zealand Sports for Health program ambassador and is part of the team touring the country conducting coaching clinics. The team was in Labasa yesterday teaching the newly introduced game of Quick Rip Rugby...
Vorovoro 7s receives boost
RAKA 7s champion Tabadamu Rugby Club is out for another title win as it looks to take the Vorovoro Youth 7s tournament title which begins today at Gatward Park in Korovou, Tailevu . Tabadamu, Land Force Battalion (Army) Rugby Club, and Lami Cavaliers will be the big names among 32 teams that will go head...
Ratu Meli continues legacy
FIJI Airways Fiji 7s forward Ratu Meli Derenalagi is honoured to continue the family rugby legacy that his relatives and family members at Nawaka Village in Nadi are renowned for. The village has produced some of Fiji’s decorated rugby players such as the late Sainivalati Laulau, Esala Labalaba, Manasa Qoro, Savenaca Aria, Apisai Naevo, Semisi...
Rawaqa takes over Lautoka coaching responsibilities
FORMER Flying Fijian and Fiji 7s rep, Ifereimi Rawaqa has been selected as the head coach of the Tropik Pine Lautoka Maroons team replacing Osea Umuumulovo. The former Lautoka captain will be assisted by strength and conditioning coach Saiasi Qalova Navunitale and former Naitasiri backline coach Vereniki Turaga Vaubula. Rawaqa, also a former Lautoka rep...
Dranisinukula to lead 7s team
TOUGH rugby 7s forward Paula Dranisinukula is likely to take over as captain from Kalione Nasoko for the Fiji Airways Fiji 7s team for the next leg of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Hamilton, New Zealand and Sydney Australia. Fiji 7s team coach Gareth Baber revealed this after the team returned home from...
Rugby Academy of Fiji U18 expects a tough match against NZ
THE Rugby Academy of Fiji under-18 team is expecting a tough match against the New Zealand School Boys side in their first match today in the World Schools 7s tournament in New Zealand. RAF coach Seremaia Bai said his players had acclimatised well in Auckland after they drew in a friendly match against Tonga yesterday....
Wallabies to play Boks in Johannesburg
SYDNEY (RUGBY.COM.AU) – The Wallabies’ 2019 Rugby Championship schedule is all but complete with the Springboks confirming a Johannesburg encounter for the countries’ tournament opener. The SARU released its tournament schedule on Tuesday , with a move back to more familiar surrounds for the Aussies after a clash in Port Elizabeth this year. Australia will...
13th December
Derenalagi, Botitu eager to keep spots
FIJI Airways national 7s reps Ratu Meli Derenalagi and Filimoni Botitu are eager to maintain their spots in the next leg of the HSBC World Rugby 7s Series. The duo made their debut at the Dubai and Cape Town 7s and their scintillating performances have won many hearts. They said they have learnt a huge...
Coach Baber praises our 7s warriors
THE victorious Fiji Airways Fiji 7s team returned home to a huge reception at Nadi International Airport yesterday afternoon. The South Africa 7s win at Cape Town against USA 29-15 on Sunday triggered the return of massive following for the king of 7s as loved ones, friends, fans and family members converged at the airport...
In the big league
Australian Football League (AFL) Fiji Junior Tribe coach Loata Vakausausa continued to make strides with her team guiding them to another victory yesterday against the touring Wanderers Australia Junior Boys team at Albert Park, Suva. Fiji won the match 7-11-53 to 4-5-29. “We have a good group of players and although there were some mistakes,...
Bright future as women’s rugby improves
WOMEN’s rugby has a bright future in Fiji as hundreds of aspiring young women competed in the National Women’s Age Grade Provincial 7s Rugby competition at Nadi’s Prince Charles Park yesterday. Fiji Rugby Union development manager Koli Sewabu said the competition attracted more than 36 teams from around the country. “The idea is to create...
Hero’s welcome for Tuimaba
FIJI Airways Fiji 7s rep Aminiasi Tuimaba admitted that the USA team’s strike weapon, Perry Baker, is faster than him. But the Vio flyer said he was happy to shut Baker down in the final of the South Africa 7s in Cape Town on Sunday. Speaking from his home on Vio Island off Lautoka where...
