The Fiji Times

From joker to captain courageous, Kolisi reaches milestone

TOULON, France (Reuters) – Siya Kolisi will captain South Africa for the 50th time in the must-win Rugby World Cup Pool B clash with Tonga in Marseille on Sunday, something that would have seemed fanciful in his early years when just having food on the table was a daily challenge. The flanker has become an...

Jones prepared to be the fall guy as Wallabies eye Portugal win

LYON, France (Reuters) -Wallabies coach Eddie Jones said he took full responsibility for Australia’s disappointing World Cup campaign and is hoping his young team will produce a performance to make the country proud in Sunday’s final Pool C match against Portugal. Jones and his players have received a barrage of criticism since their 40-6 loss...

Major boost for Suva soccer

Defending champions of the Inter District Championship, Suva received a major boost yesterday for this year’s tournament which starts in 10 days’ time. Newline Chemicals and Chandra Enterprises have come on board to support the team for the tournament. Newline Chemicals CEO Kartik Pillay said they were excited to partner with Suva. “It is my...

RWC 2023 | Royal inspiration for Fiji

THE Flying Fijians have been boosted by well wishes from King Charles in Bordeaux last Friday as the team prepares for their next pool match against Georgia this weekend. King Charles surprised the team in what trainer Nacanieli Cawanibuka said was a “cool experience”. “It was a great experience. We formed a walkway for him...

Baby Kulas head coach proud despite loss

Despite going down to New Zealand 1-0 in the final of the Oceania Football Federation Under-16 Championship in Tahiti, Baby Kulas head coach Angeline Chua said she was proud of the girl’s efforts. The Baby Kulas managed to hold the fort against New Zealand for 93 minutes before the defending champions were able to find...

Aussies ‘too strong’ for Fijiana 7s

The Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s side recorded their second loss of day two in the Fiji Airways International 7s tournament after they were convincingly beaten by Aussie Green 34-12 at Churchill Park in Lautoka yesterday. Australia looked confident with ball in hand from the first whistle as Maddison Levi went over the line for the...

Levan maps plan

THE FIJI Water Flying Fijians can expect Georgia to come out with all guns firing when the two sides meet in their Rugby World Cup pool C match at the Stade de Bordeaux tomorrow 3.45am F(iji time). Georgia head coach Levan Maisashvili says they plan to chance their arm against a strong Fiji side by taking...

RWC 2023 | Team adopts new belief

Ubuntu is an African philosophy meaning “I am because we are”. It is a phrase that has been adopted by the FIJI Water Flying Fijians during the Rugby World Cup in France. In a team context, it is adding value to a collective target that emphasises unity. While there is competition for the matchday 23 within...

RWC 2023 | Georgia a threat

FIJI Water Flying Fijians blindside flanker Lekima Tagitagivalu knows too well the physical power of Georgia’s players. Having played against some of them at his Pau club and the French Top 14 competition, Tagitagivalu is looking forward to a real battle. “They are a very physical team, very tough. We need to match that physicality...

RWC 2023 | Levan maps plans

The FIJI Water Flying Fijians can expect Georgia to change their game from defence to attack when the two sides meet in a Rugby World Cup pool C match at the Stade de Bordeaux tomorrow. Georgia head coach Levan Maisashvili says they plan to chance their arm against a strong Fiji side by taking the...

RWC 2023 | Coach makes one change to starting

FIJI Water Flying Fijians head coach Simon Raiwalui has made one change to his starting 15 to face Georgia tomorrow – Selestino Ravutaumada in on the wing for Jiuta Wainiqolo. There is one change on the bench with prop Samu Tawake coming in for Mesake Doge. “There’s a couple of changes there, obviously Jiuta Wainiqolo...

RWC 2023 | Big challenge on hand – Simon

FIJI Water Flying Fijians head coach Simon Raiwalui says they have a big challenge on their hands when they come up against a very physical Georgia side at Stade de Bordeaux tomorrow. The two sides will meet again after having last played out a 15-all draw two years ago at the height of the COVID-19...

Farebrother Trophy | Physical clash … Naba expects tough Nadi challenge

We are expecting a very physical encounter, says Nadroga coach Etonia Naba ahead of their crucial clash against Nadi in the INKK Farebrother Trophy Challenge match today at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka. While speaking to this newspaper, the former national 7s captain said the feeling in camp was good with the boys eager for the...

RWC2023 | Team has stepped up defence

FIJI Water Flying Fijians assistant coach Darly Gibson says players have stepped up in terms of their defence during the Rugby World Cup in France. The side will take on Georgia tomorrow at the Stade de Bordeaux in their pool C clash which kicks off at 3.45am. “I think defence, along with a number of factors,...

RWC2023 | Gibson says current side best prepped Fiji team ever

THE current FIJI Water Flying Fijians team is the best prepared side to date to compete at a Rugby World Cup, says assistant coach Daryl Gibson. The side has three players who are appearing in their third World Cup – openside flanker Levani Botia, captain Waisea Nayacalevu and prop Peni Ravai. Majority of the 33-member...

RWC2023 | Gibson says Fiji is ready for ‘motivated’ Georgia

FIJI Water Flying Fijians assistant coach Daryl Gibson says Georgia will be motivated to get their first win of the 2023 Rugby World Cup against Fiji tomorrow. The Lelos have recorded a loss to Australia and draw with Portugal, and face the Flying Fijians at Stade de Bordeaux at 3.45am. Fiji goes into the match...

Barcelona under investigation for suspected bribery in refereeing case

MADRID (Reuters) -Spanish soccer club Barcelona are under investigation for suspected “active bribery” as part of a probe into suspected corruption spanning two decades at the refereeing committee, according to a court document seen by Reuters on Thursday. Police also searched the offices of the Spanish refereeing committee (CTA) inside the football federation (RFEF) headquarters...

Football-related arrests in England and Wales highest since 2013-14 – Home Office

(Reuters) – The 2022-23 season in England and Wales had a nine-year high of 2,264 football-related arrests while 1,624 football banning orders were in force, Britain’s Home Office said in a report published on Thursday. The arrests included 200 for possession of class A drugs while 101 arrests were made related to last year’s World...

Rahm and Hatton to launch Europe’s Ryder Cup bid

ROME (Reuters) -European captain Luke Donald said Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton will “bring fire and passion” to start Europe’s bid to reclaim the Ryder Cup when they take on world number one Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns in Friday’s opening foursomes match. The captains revealed their morning groupings during Thursday’s opening ceremony and Donald...

Volume turned up as Ryder Cup ready for lift-off

ROME (Reuters) – A spectacular fly past by the Italian air force’s Frecce Tricolori aerobatic team drowned out the start of U.S. captain Zach Johnson’s speech at the opening ceremony of the 44th Ryder Cup on Thursday. It could be a portent of things to come. Johnson’s 12-man team will be defending the trophy the...

Dupont’s recovery going well, last eight participation still in the balance

AIX-EN-PROVENCE, France (Reuters) -Antoine Dupont’s recovery is going well and the France captain’s condition will be assessed when he returns to the squad this weekend, Les Bleus’ health manager said on Thursday. Dupont underwent surgery on a broken cheekbone and the French camp is hoping the scrumhalf will be able to play in the quarter-finals...

Samoa rue poor discipline in World Cup defeat to Japan

TOULOUSE, France (Reuters) – Poor discipline and a lack of execution were behind Samoa’s 28-22 loss to Japan in their Rugby World Cup Pool D clash on Thursday, which leaves their quarter-final hopes hanging by a thread. Only an extraordinary set of results, including a bonus-point win over already qualified England in their final pool...

Japan already looking forward to ‘Grand Final’ against Argentina

(Reuters) – Japan quickly turned their focus to their Pool D decider against Argentina after beating Samoa 28-22 on Thursday as they eye a second consecutive quarter-final spot at the Rugby World Cup. The Brave Blossoms were on top of things in Toulouse and prevailed with three tries by Pieter Labuschagne, Michael Leitch, Kazuki Himeno...

World Cup 2023 knockout stage: which teams will qualify?

(Reuters) – The knockout stage of the 2023 Rugby World Cup will begin on Oct. 14. The following is a look at the teams who have qualified for the quarter-finals, schedule and betting odds: POOL C WALES Wales qualified for the quarter-finals with a win over Australia on Sept. 24. Wales were the first team...

Coach adamant to win gold

Fiji Women’s Basketball head coach Earl Hughes is adamant his side is capable of winning a gold medal at the Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands in November. According to Hughes, the team began preparations in June, almost six months before the games. “This was to prepare the players physically for the court work and...

40 participants to compete for Pineapple Cup

AS many as 40 participants are expected to compete for the Pineapple Cup that will be held at the Suva Bowling Club starting tomorrow. This was confirmed by Suva Bowling Club committee member, Litia Tikoisuva, during a news conference yesterday. “We are expecting more than 40 bowlers to take part in the competition. “This includes...

Mobile Force team aims to maintain champion status

Maintaining status as defending champions of the Lincoln Refrigeration Pte Ltd Police Soccer Inter-District Competition is the main objective of the Police Mobile Force side. After successfully defeating the Easter Division side 1-0 in their first game of the tournament yesterday, team manager Seresio Vereivalu says there are a few things his side needs to...

Police IDC begins

The 2023 Lincoln Refrigeration Pte Ltd Police Soccer Inter-District Competition got underway yesterday morning at Subrail Park in Labasa. Officiating the official opening was the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Professor Biman Prasad who acknowledged members of the Fiji Police Force for their dedication and loyalty to service. “We at the Finance Ministry...

Initiative to strengthen relations

The Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) conducted a historic meeting with university representatives from South-East Queensland earlier this month as part of the “Home Games Advantage Initiative” under the ONOC Brisbane 2032 banner. ONOC president, Dr Robin Mitchell in his opening remarks emphasized the importance of the meeting, mentioning it represents the first in a...

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