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Rugby
Ben’s vision rings true
Ben Ryan, 2016 Olympic Games gold medal-winning head coach’s prophetic prediction that the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games would be the year of the Fijiana was spot on. During the 2016 celebrations of the win at the ANZ Stadium,...
Champions play their cards right
Team Fiji men’s rugby 7s coach Gareth Baber played his cards right to guide the side to gold medal victory at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Baber changed his line-up from the third pool game onwards to keep the opposition guessing about their game plan. Fiji 7s head coach Gareth Baber said every decision he made on team selection was strategic. Baber said...
Team uses the Hero’s Journey in buildup
Team Fiji men’s rugby 7s players went through many story templates of the “Hero’s Journey” in their buildup to successfully defend the gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The “Hero’s Journey” involves a person or a team that goes on an adventure, learns a lesson, wins a victory and with that newfound knowledge, then returns home transformed. National 7s head coach Gareth Baber said he tried to create...
Baber praises leadership qualities of Radradra
The leadership qualities provided by Bristol Bears star Semi Radradra was enough to bear down the stress of being in an enclosed arena such as the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games athletes’ village. Radradra did not get much game time during the rugby 7s competition at the event, but scored a decisive try against Argentina in the 26-14 semi-final victory. Fiji 7s head coach Gareth Baber...
Ben’s vision rings true for Fijiana
Ben Ryan, 2016 Olympic Games gold medal-winning head coach’s prophetic prediction that the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games would be the year of the Fijiana was spot on. During the 2016 celebrations of the win at the ANZ Stadium, Ryan paid homage to the Fijiana 7s team for the hard work they had put in going...
Baber pleased with Jerry and Naca
The experience provided by strength and conditioning coach Nacanieli Cawanibuka and captain courageous Jerry Tuwai from the 2016 Rio Olympic Games was beneficial in the Team Fiji rugby men’s 7s success at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Fiji defeated New Zealand 27-12 in the final to win the gold medal at the Tokyo Stadium last Wednesday. The side created history by winning the gold medal back to back....
2nd August
Fijiana ends Tokyo campaign on a high note
It was the stuff of fairytales as the Fijiana 7s team ended a glorious Olympics campaign securing the nation’s third medal with a 21-12 bronze finish against Great Britain in Tokyo on Saturday night. After knocking out Australia in the quarter-finals and hard done by New Zealand in the semis, it was a sweet end as our bronze winners ran in three converted tries to secure their place...
Dream comes true for Solikoviti
Support your girls. This was the message from Paula Solikoviti, Fijiana 7s rep Vasiti Solikoviti’s father as the side made history at the Tokyo Olympics by bringing home a bronze medal. Solikoviti said Vasiti had always dreamt of winning a medal at the Olympics and that dream was only made possible through the support of her family and her faith in God. “She...
All for Fiji – Determination, passion key to victory
Olympics Games bronze medal winning captain Rusila Nagasau said it was the sheer determination and passion for the Fijiana 7s jersey and the nation that brought them through against Great Britain. Speaking after the 22-12 bronze medal match win Nagasau said her teammates put everything on the table for that one. “We came here on a mission and that was to win the gold...
Hail Fijiana! – PM: Girls begin a new chapter in women’s rugby
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama believes the historic bronze medal achievement by the Fijiana has set a precedent that young girls in Fiji will now wish to emulate. In his social media post, Bainimarama said the country had now witnessed a legacy in the making from our Fijiana in Tokyo. He said ahead of the Rio Olympics, there were 200 registered women rugby players in Fiji....
Fijiana’s bronze win in Tokyo demonstrates immense talent of Fijians – Narube
Former Reserve Bank of Fiji governor and Unity Fiji Party leader Savenaca Narube says the performance by the Fijiana women’s 7s rugby team in Tokyo spoke volume of the significant talent of the Fijian people. He said to emerge from the lower half of the seeded teams in the competition only to narrowly miss out...
Rugby-Kolisi says Lions decider brings more pressure than World Cup final
CAPE TOWN (Reuters) – South Africa captain Siya Kolisi says next Saturday’s series decider against the British & Irish Lions in Cape Town is potentially more important than their Rugby World Cup final win over England two years ago. The Springboks levelled the three-match series with a bruising, ill-tempered 27-9 second-test victory over the Lions...
1st August
Rugby-Lions starved of chances in disappointing second half, says Gatland
CAPE TOWN (Reuters) – The British & Irish Lions were starved of opportunities in the second half and will thoroughly review Saturday’s 27-9 defeat in the second test against South Africa before considering any changes for next weekend’s decisive game, coach Warren Gatland said. South Africa came back from 9-6 down after an ill-tempered first...
Fijiana upsets Aussies at Tokyo Olympics
Tears flowed as the defending women’s 7s Olympic Games gold medallist Australia were shut out of by a magical Fijiana side 14-12 during their quarter-final clash in Tokyo on Friday night. Two quick first-half tries by Alowesi Nakoci and Ana Maria Naimasi coupled by a stonewall defence saw our shield maidens bring the country alight...
Fiji’s athletes can be groomed to become Olympians – Lenoa
If there is one take-away from Fiji’s successful defence of its Olympics gold medal in sevens rugby – it’s the potential that athletes in Fiji can be trained and groomed to become Olympians. That’s the reflection of Fiji Association of National Olympic president (FASANOC), Makarita Lenoa after Fiji beat New Zealand 27-12 in the men’s...
Baber – Composure and discipline helped the team
Team Fiji men’s rugby 7s coach maintained its composure and discipline on their way to successfully defend the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games. The Gareth Baber-coached side faced giant-killers Argentina in the semi-final grinding out a 26-14 victory after being down 12-14 at the break. Baber said day three of action was good...
Bronze win – Fijiana 7s wins first Olympic Games medal
The Fijiana 7s team have created their own piece of history by beating Team Great Britain 21-12 to win the Tokyo Olympics sevens rugby women’s bronze medal. Two tries to lanky Alowesi Nakosi in the first half and one to Reapi Uluinasau in the second half was enough to secure the third spot. Team GB...
Olympics-Rugby-New Zealand’s culture club behind gold medal showing in Tokyo
TOKYO (Reuters) – New Zealand celebrated their gold medal in the women’s Olympic Rugby Sevens with a special version of the haka, showing all the fierceness and focus that had seen them become worthy winners against France in the final at the Tokyo Stadium on Saturday. Their version is called ‘Ko Uhia Mai’, or ‘Let...
Rugby-Dominant second half sees Boks beat Lions to level series
CAPE TOWN (Reuters) -South Africa’s backs Makazole Mapimpi and Lukhanyo Am scored second half tries as the Springboks beat the British & Irish Lions 27-9 to win Saturday’s second test at the Cape Town Stadium and level the series. Handre Pollard added five penalties and a conversion for a 17-point contribution while the Lions points...
31st July
2020 Tokyo Olympics: Fantastic Fijiana win historic Bronze medal
The Fijiana side has won Bronze in the Women’s Rugby 7s event at the Tokyo Olympics. This after the Saiasi Fuli coached side beat Great Britain 21-12 in the Bronze medal playoff this evening. Alowesi Nakoci gave Fijiana the perfect start with two tries inside the first seven minutes as Fiji led 14-nil. Great Britain...
Fiji’s national 7s coach keeps his next option open
Nationalrugby 7s coach Gareth Baber has left his future options open after guiding the Team Fiji men’s rugby 7s team to its second gold medal victory at the Tokyo Olympic Games in Japan. Baber took over the coaching role from Ben Ryan who coached the national side to the first-ever gold medal victory at the...
Bolaca sets his rugby plan
Olympics gold medal winner Napolioni Ratu Bolaca has aspirations to follow in Fijian Sevens superstar Jerry Tuwai’s footsteps. His father Apimeleki Nasalo says while they have yet to discuss the 23-year-old’s next step in his rugby career, it was clear that the Bolaca wanted to emulate the two-time Olympic gold medallist. “We have had calls...
2020 Tokyo Olympics: Fijiana lose to New Zealand in extra-time
The Fijiana side lost 22-17 to New Zealand in the semi-final of Women’s Rugby 7s at the Tokyo Olympics. It was an exceptional performance by the Saiasi Fuli coached side who led 7-5 at half-time. New Zealand made a comeback in the second spell and led 17-12 with a try just before full-time. Fiji scored...
Back home … Olympics rugby champion whisked away for quarantine
The Fiji men’s rugby 7s side received a low-key welcome amidst the safe COVID-19 protocols upon arrival in the early hours of yesterday morning at the Nadi International Airport from the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. The side, minus head coach Gareth Baber and the Europe-based players Vilimoni Botitu, Aminiasi Tuimaba and Semi Radradra, was whisked...
2020 Tokyo Olympics: Fijiana to play NZ at 2pm
The Fijiana side will face New Zealand in the first semi-final of the Tokyo Olympics Women’s Rugby 7s competition at 2pm today. The Fijiana side shocked defending gold medalists Australia 14-12 in their quarterfinal match last night. The second semi-final at 2.30pm between Great Britain and France. The Bronze medal playoff will be at 8.30pm...
Fiji’s golden time
Fiji is in Sevens Heaven after winning gold in rugby for the second straight time on Wednesday. It was a tactical master-class. Execution timed perfect to the second as Fiji pummeled the sevens world in Tokyo and sent her crazy fans into a frenzy – they won gold in style in Tokyo but the glitter was at home. Our small nation has...
30th July
Baber lauds Fijians’ love
By setting the record as the second rugby coach to win the Olympics rugby 7s gold medal, Welshman Gareth Baber is heading home for a well-deserved rest and relaxation after the Japan Olympics victory on Wednesday. The former Hong Kong coach who has not seen his family for seven months took on social media after...
Bolaca delivers promise
We thank him for keeping his promise to his family, his country and to God. These were the words of proud father Apimeleki Nasalo whose son Napolioni Ratu Bolaca was part of the winning team that made history by becoming the only sevens team to win back to back gold medals at the Olympic Games...
Derenalagi’s family proud of his achievements
The family of lanky Fijian 7s forward Ratu Meli Derenalagi could not be more proud when their son scored Fiji’s first try at the Tokyo Olympics sevens rugby final against a star-studded All Blacks side on Wednesday. Proud father Ratu Vuniani Derenalagi said the achievement would be one of the most memorable for his rugby-mad...
Plans for celebrations
Discussions have started for a national celebration to commemorate Fiji’s gold medal rugby 7s win at the Olympic Games in Japan on Wednesday. This was revealed by Fiji Rugby Union CEO John O’Connor who told Radio New Zealand that plans were in place for a grand 7s party in Fiji which is suffering from the...
