The Fiji Times

Tonga Rugby looks to kick off new era

The Tonga Rugby Union is seeking a Chief Executive Officer, in a bid to kick-start a new future of stability for 2021 and beyond. The full-time role comes after the TRU signed a tripartite agreement with World Rugby and the Tonga government in September, after the global governing body had threatened to pull all financial...

Nadolo speaks – Big Fijian winger reveals situation in France

Flying Fijians prolific winger Nemani Nadolo has broken his silence on the Flying Fijians dismal Autumn Nations Cup hamstrung by COVID-19, saying the trip had been a genuine chance gone begging. Nadolo, who came out of international retirement, spoke to Rugby Pod, a rugby news agency, while at camp in France. “We actually came into...

Hunt still on for Fiji 7s replacements

Although the search was still ongoing for Vilimoni Botitu and Aminiasi Tuimaba replacements, Fiji 7s coach Gareth Baber said the hunt was still in its early days. “It’s still early too say,” Baber said. “Even when Tuimaba came into the squad, I didn’t know he was going to emerge the qualities that he had.” Baber...

Hurricanes utility excited to represent his Pasifika heritage

Hurricanes player, Vince Aso, is excited to represent his Samoan heritage, after being named in the first Moana Pasifika team. The All Black hopeful said playing for his nation of heritage would rule him out of New Zealand selection, so the Moana Pasifika provided a unique opportunity to represent his Samoan roots without that consequence....

World Cup hosts to be decided by open vote as World Rugby approves changes

(Reuters) – The World Rugby Council on Tuesday approved recommendations by its World Cup Board for a more transparent process of selecting hosts for future men’s and women’s editions of the tournament, including an open electronic vote with results published. The sport’s global body said that after an interim meeting, it was decided that awarding...

Wales lose Moriarty but duo back in training ahead of England

(Reuters) – Wales have released injured loose forward Ross Moriarty from their squad ahead of the Autumn Nations Cup showdown with England in Llanelli on Saturday, but have welcomed back Josh Navidi and Taulupe Faletau to training. Moriarty failed to recover from an ankle injury that has kept him out of the autumn series of...

Extended squad named

A strong 71-member extended Fijiana XVs squad was announced by head coach Senirusi Seruvakula after the completion of the National 10s competition at Tavua’s Garvey Park last weekend. Seruvakula said the squad selected were the cream of women’s rugby players in the country who participated in the Fiji Rugby Union’s 2020 Skipper Cup, 2020 Vodafone...

Race for WC spots

Fijiana XV coach Senirusi Seruvakula said pressure was now on our local players to work hard for a spot in the Rugby World Cup squad with overseas players willing to turn down contracts to climb aboard on Fiji’s maiden voyage to the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup. Seruvakula said his phone had been ringing off...

Tuwai: Medal for every Fijian

Olympics gold medallist and sevens rugby star Seremaia (Jerry) Tuwai dedicated his Order of Fiji Medal to the Fijian people. The Fiji 7s halfback was bestowed the honour along with 32 other recipients during an investiture ceremony at the State House yesterday. “It was an honour to represent Fiji and I am grateful for the...

Ash Dixon to captain Maori All Blacks

Hawke’s Bay hooker Ash Dixon has been named to captain the Maori All Blacks in their one-off game against Moana Pasifika in Hamilton next month. The 24-strong squad includes eight new caps while former All Black loosie Liam Messam returns to the side for the first time since the 2017 British and Irish Lions tour....

Nadolo: Flying Fijians eager for last remaining Autumn Cup match

Flying Fijians winger Nemani Nadolo has spoken out on the Flying Fijians situation in France saying the team members are in high spirits and eager for their last remaining Autumn Nations Cup match against Georgia. “If this was called off, I guess we would have been home already by now, but at this stage we...

Willis, Watson back in the England frame to face Wales

LONDON (Reuters) – Flanker Jack Willis, winger Anthony Watson and hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie have been included in Eddie Jones’s extended 25-man squad to face Wales in the Nations Cup on Saturday, but centre Ollie Lawrence will miss the game with a hip injury. Willis made a tryscoring debut against Georgia two weeks ago but was...

Tana Umaga won’t rule out Moana Pasifika job but says he is ‘happy at the Blues’

AUCKLAND, 25 NOVEMBER 2020 (STUFF NZ) – All Blacks great Tana Umaga knows the coaching industry is an unpredictable industry but has declared his contentment with life at the Blues despite the likelihood of Moana Pasifika gaining admittance into Super Rugby in 2022. Umaga will coach Moana Pasifika in their one-off clash against NZ Māori...

Key elements approved for future Rugby World Cup awarding

DUBLIN, 25 NOVEMBER 2020 (WORLD RUGBY) – The World Rugby Council has approved a progressive package of recommendations by the Rugby World Cup Board that reflects the organisation’s ambition to select future men’s and women’s Rugby World Cup hosts via a transparent, best-practice host selection process. The Council, at its interim meeting last week, confirmed...

Tana Umaga names experienced Moana Pasifika squad

AUCKLAND, 24 NOVEMBER 2020 (RNZ PACIFIC) – Coach Fa’alogo Tana Umaga has named the first ever Moana Pasifika squad and it has plenty of experience. The Fiji, Samoa and Tonga combined team will play the Māori All Blacks in Hamilton next month. Moana Pasifika is one of the preferred partners to join Super Rugby in...

Rugby: Liverpool lesson helping England in transition, says Jones

(Reuters) – England head coach Eddie Jones said he had met with Liverpool’s director of research Ian Graham to get some insight into the Premier League soccer champions’ transitional play and that it played a role in Jonny May’s sensational try against Ireland. May’s score helped England to an 18-7 Nations Cup win at Twickenham...

Biggest pressure on All Blacks comes from within, says Tuipulotu

SYDNEY (Reuters) – All Blacks lock Patrick Tuipulotu moved to dampen criticism of the side on Monday following back-to-back defeats in the Tri-Nations, saying their own expectations are higher than those from outside the team. The All Blacks were heavily criticised by media and fans after a 25-15 loss to Argentina on Nov. 14, which...

SANZAAR chairman Impey resigns, calling for an independent chair

AUCKLAND, 24 NOVEMBER 2020 (INSIDE THE GAMES) – New Zealand Rugby (NZ Rugby) chairman Brent Impey, has resigned from the same post at SANZAAR, calling for change within the body and requesting that it looks for an independent figure instead. He also stated that more tier-two nations join the organisation in the future too, with...

France find consistency under new coach Galthie

(Reuters) – France coach Fabien Galthie praised his team’s ability to get results after Les Bleus claimed their third win in a row by beating Scotland 22-15 in the Autumn Nations Cup on Sunday. France, who were suffering from a lack of consistency before Galthie took over this year, have now won six of seven...

Australian rugby sevens star Cherry to delay retirement for Tokyo 2020

SYDNEY,23 NOVEMBER 2020 (INSIDE THE GAMES) – Australian rugby sevens star Emilee Cherry confirmed she has delayed her retirement to compete at next year’s Olympics in Tokyo. Cherry gave birth to her daughter Alice in June 2019 but returned to the international circuit earlier this year. The 28-year-old had planned to retire after Tokyo 2020,...

Wallabies, Pumas play out 15-all draw in Tri Nations

NEWCASTLE,23 NOVEMBER 2020 (AP) – Flyhalf Nicolas Sanchez scored all of Argentina’s points for the second successive test and the Pumas’ remarkable Tri Nations continued with a 15-all draw against Australia at Newcastle Saturday. A week after scoring all of Argentina’s 25 points in its maiden test victory over New Zealand, Sanchez kicked five penalties,...

Rampaging Vakatawa powers France to 22-15 win over Scotland

(Reuters) – France centre Virimi Vakatawa muscled over the line to break open an absorbing clash which saw his side beat a spirited but ultimately toothless Scotland 22-15 at Murrayfield on Sunday and top Group B of the Nations Cup. The hosts struggled throughout the game to contain the Fiji-born Frenchman, who scored the only...

Pivac points to positives as England loom in Autumn Nation Cup

(Reuters) – Wales coach Wayne Pivac pointed to the positives as his overhauled side laboured to an 18-0 Autumn Nation Cup victory over Georgia that snapped a six-game losing streak ahead of a crunch clash with England in Llanelli next Saturday. Wales would need a massive bonus-point win to stand a chance of finishing top...

Suva’s 3-year reign

The John Stewart-captained Suva brigade created history by winning the Skipper Cup for the the third year in a row. The blue machine rose to the occasion at the ANZ Stadium and delivered when the going got tough and they did what was needed to outclass a fired up Naitasiri outfit who were told by their head coach Dr Ilaitia Tuisese Jr to create their...

Bai moulds better players

Eastern Saints coach Seremaia Bai is moulding his young players to become good productive people and this has been the key to his side’s good run this year. “The reason we do this is because some of these players come from poor backgrounds and some are struggling, but through rugby we just try to mould...

Navy reigns

A dominant Navy side reclaimed lost glory beating Police Blue 24-17 in the final to win the prestigious Digicel Escott Shield at Albert Park, Suva. Fresh’et Navy captain Lemeki Damu said it was a sweet victory after being in the final for the past two years and coming second best. “We fell short in the...

Argentina’s win over the All Blacks reminds us of what Super Rugby has lost

On a freezing night in Christchurch 16 months ago, the Jaguares players wept with frustration following a devastating loss in the Super Rugby final. Last weekend many of those men were again crying, this time with joy, after Argentina beat the All Blacks 25-15 to record an historic victory in Sydney. But, first, it pays...

Mayday for Ireland as Eddie Jones’ England wins with stifling defence to lead Autumn Nations Cup

England gave Ireland another comprehensive hiding to the tune of 18-7 at Twickenham on Saturday (Sunday NZ time) and took charge of their group in the Autumn Nations Cup. Winger Jonny May scored two first-half tries and Owen Farrell slotted three of four goalkicks as England deservedly led 12-0 at halftime and 18-0 late. They...

Wayne Pivac relieved as Wales break losing streak with win over Georgia

Kiwi coach Wayne Pivac was pleased that Wales snapped a six-match losing streak, but admitted the 18-0 win over Georgia wasn’t “a perfect performance’’. Wales hadn’t won since the opening round of the Six Nations tournament in February – Pivac’s first tournament in charge since taking over from compatriot Warren Gatland. Tries to teenage wing...

Rugby

Wairiki 7s: 40 teams ready to go