Rugby
School teacher confident with Fiji’s 2019 RWC squad
SCHOOL teacher Matia Loga spent the afternoon (yesterday) with his kids at the Albert Park in Suva to observe the 31 Fiji Airways Flying Fijians who will be representing the country to the World Cup....
Lomani’s journey
FIJI Airways Flying Fijians first choice halfback Frank Lomani still rates Nikola Matawalu as the best halfback in the field as he uses the opportunity to learn from him building up towards the Rugby World Cup next month. Lomani has been the first choice scrum-half for the head coach John McKee in the past few...
Vugakoto’s dream come true
YOUNGEST of the lot, Ratu Veremalua Vugakoto says it is a dream come true to be picked in the final 2019 Rugby World Cup squad after a tough two months of fighting for a spot with the 42-member Flying Fijians extended squad. The 21-year-old hooker said he knew the responsibility that lay ahead of him...
20th August
Flying Fijians: Matavesi says Fiji can win
FLYING Fijians hooker Sam Matavesi believes the Flying Fijians have what it takes to beat the Wallabies in their opening 2019 Rugby World Cup match. “Of course we have what it takes,” Matavesi said. The All Blacks beat the Wallabies last weekend,” Matavesi said that he also watched. “As a group we watched it and...
Flying Fijians: Ready for Japan
FIJI 7s Olympic Gold medallist Semi Kunatani says the team has a chance to create history as he and his fellow Flying Fijians look to stamp their mark in this year’s Rugby World Cup. “We want to create history you know,” said Kunatani. “Because the opportunity only comes once and our target is just that,...
Flying Fijians: Tough challenge helps Mawi
FLYING Fijians prop Eroni Mawi says the battle in the front row has forced players to dig deep with his front forwards fighting it out for the five spots on offer. “It has definitely been competitive,” said Mawi. With players such as Campese Ma’afu, Manasa Saulo, Peni Ravai, Lee-Roy Atalifo and Kalivati Tawake, Mawi said...
Flying Fijians: Focus on Australia
THE Flying Fijians have picked up their pace as training intensifies with only 32 days left until the Rugby World Cup in Japan. “It is a very important week,” said head coach John McKee. “We have talked about the responsibility that goes with selection and our team culture,” McKee also said with their final Test...
19th August
Vatubua’s dream
FLYING Fijians centre three-quarters Jale Vatubua will be out to collect Wallabies scalps when Fiji meets Australia in their opening match of the Rugby World Cup at Sapporo Dome in Japan next month. “For me personally it’s Australia,” Vatubua said. A personal affair, Vatubua said he hadn’t forgotten his debut game for the Flying Fijians...
Talks underway to merge school tournaments
AN idea of merging the Vodafone Super Deans Rugby Championship and Vodafone Rugby Kaji Festival finals was discussed unofficially by the two unions during the Fiji National Kaji Rugby Festival in Sigatoka last week. Under the sponsorship of Vodafone for both competitions and assisted by the Fiji Rugby Union, the Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby Union...
18th August
Goneva tops scoring list
VETERAN Flying Fijian Vereniki Goneva has credited his teammates throughout the years and that has allowed him to become the top try-scorer in Fiji rugby history. Goneva scored the lone try in the 10-3 win over Manu Samoa last weekend in their last Pacific Nations Cup match propelling him into the Fiji Rugby Union history...
Top support for Fiji team
FLYING Fijians head coach John McKee has labelled the people of Fiji as the main ingredient and source that drives the Flying Fijians. “The pride of representing Fiji is a real drive for our players,” said coach John McKee as the players and officials took a break from their routine closed sessions to open the...
17th August
Tuwai helps team retain Ram Sami Shield
FIJI sevens star, Jerry Tuwai helped his Newtown Rugby Club retain the Nasinu Rugby Football Union Ram Sami Shield beating challengers Police Rugby Club 22-11 today at St Marcellin Primary School grounds in Vatuwaqa. Newtown came from behind to score to late tries in the second half to ensure the shield remained with them for another...
Rugby fans meet their stars
THE Flying Fijians Rugby World Cup squad took a break from their normal routine holding an open training session for their fans today at Albert Park. “The pride of representing Fiji is a real drive for our players,” said coach John McKee. “And to give the fans an opportunity here to see their stars in...
Special time
FLYING Fijians coach John McKee believes his team has an opportunity to do something special after announcing his 2019 Rugby World Cup squad at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva yesterday. “This is a group of players that can really make Fiji proud,” McKee said. He said the squad was filled with firepower and the...
Naduva ties knot, resets sevens focus
FIJI Airways Fiji 7s wing Alasio Naduva scored the try of his life when he married Vasiti Tuilau at the World Harvest Centre Church at Kinoya, Suva, yesterday. The 29-year-old Fijian speedster was emotional saying that it was one of the best decisions he had ever made. Now with his wife Vasiti by his side,...
16th August
Vodafone Kaji Rugby: Nasinu wins U14 title
NASINU under 14 ruggers have been crowned champions of the tier one Vodafone National Kaji Rugby Festival edging Lautoka in the final 12-8 at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka. Nasinu scored a last minute try after the full-time hooter through prop Vilikesa Vualiku, to win the match, however it was all team effort. Lautoka led 3-0...
Vodafone Kaji Rugby: Kadavu goes down to Suva Blues in tier one U13 final
Suva Blues under 13 rugby defeated Kadavu in the tier one final of the Vodafone National Kaji Rugby Festival 17-8 at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka. The capital side scored a total of three tries, two in the first spell and one in the second half and successfully converted. However Kadavu managed to kick a three...
Vodafone Kaji Rugby: Nasinu wins U13 tier two title
NASINU under 13 rugby team has scooped the Vodafone National Kaji Rugby title in the tier two category beating Navosa 10-nil at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka. Nasinu scored an early try in the first spell and continued the momentum in the second spell scoring their final try. Both conversions were unsuccessful.
Vodafone Kaji Rugby: Ra, Cakaudrove to share U12 tier one prize money
IN the final of the tier one under 12, Vodafone National Kaji Rugby Festival, Ra and Cakaudrove will share the prize money after both teams remained scoreless at the end of the final whistle. The two teams shared equal possession during the match even in the sudden death stages. The trophy will spend six months...
Vodafone Kaji Rugby: Ba defeats Naitasiri to win U12 title
BA under 12 Kaji rugby team are the champions of the Vodafone National Kaji Rugby Festival in the tier two division beating Naitasiri 21-7 in the final at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka. Ba dominated throughout the match, scoring two converted tries in the first spell and extended their lead in the second half with another...
2019 Fiji RWC squad named; Waqaniburotu to lead team to Japan
THE Flying Fijians squad to represent Fiji at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan were named today at a media conference at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva, Fiji. In a press release by the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) Head Coach John McKee said the squad, captained by Dominiko Waqaniburotu, has an opportunity to...
Naduva scores the most important try of his life
FIJI Airways 7s player Alasio Naduva tied the knot with the love of his life, Vasiti Tuilau at the World Harvest Centre in Kinoya this morning. The occasion was attended by close family and friends. Also present was the rugby 7s national coach Gareth Baber and his wife as well as the members of the...
FRU aims to develop youngsters
THE Fiji Rugby Union will for the first time, host a holiday skills program for the under-14, 15, 16 and 17 grades at its High Performance Unit in Suva. Drafted after the successful completion of the Vodafone Fiji Secondary Schools Super Deans Championship, Fiji Rugby Union chief executive John O’Connor said the main motive behind...
Top Kaji teams set for finals
FIREWORKS is expected in the Vodafone Kaji Rugby Festival today at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka as some rugby giants were toppled in the knockout stages by rural-based teams showing their calibre and courage that size doesn’t matter in the rugby field. Tournament director Tiko Matawalu urges parents, relatives and friends to support the future rugby...
15th August
Skills program for future Flying Fijians
A SKILLS program for young rugby players identified as possible future Flying Fijians will be held in Suva next week. Conducted by the Fiji Rugby Union’s (FRU) high performance unit, the program is a pathway to develop under-14, U15, U16 and U17 players into a professional environment. “These age grade players will have a lot...
Vodafone Kaji Rugby: Nasinu U14 creates upset
NASINU under 14 Kaji ruggers created an upset at the Vodafone Kaji rugby championship edging Suva Blues 7-5 to qualify for the semifinals. It was a see-saw battle from both sides as the match was on a scoreless result after the first half but Nasinu managed to score under the crossbar with a successful conversion...
Vodafone Kaji Rugby: Lautoka through to semis after defeating Nadroga
LAUTOKA under 14 Kaji rugby team are through to the semifinals of the Vodafone Kaji rugby championship beating the home team Nadroga 3-0. It was a one way traffic in the first spell as Lautoka build momentum and multiple phases but were unsuccessful but minutes into the second half they were able to kick a...
Vodafone Kaji Rugby: U13 semifinalists confirmed
The Vodafone Kaji Rugby Championship Tier 1 under 13 quarterfinalists witnessed Nadi beating their neighbours Lautoka 12-3, Kadavu defeated Ra 5-0, Suva Blues beat Tailevu 5-0 and Ovalau defeated Cakaudrove 5-0. The semifinals fixtures sees Nadi facing Kadavu and Suva Blues to meet Ovalau. In the Tier 2 quarterfinals, Ba edged Namosi 8-7, Navosa defeated...
Vodafone Kaji Rugby: Quarterfinals kicks off
The Vodafone Kaji Rugby Championship quarterfinal stages has kicked off at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka. In the Tier One competition of the under 12 grade, Suva Blues defeated Macuata 7-0, Ra beat Nasinu 14-7, Cakaudrove beat Suva Whites 7-0 and Tailevu edged Nadi 7-5. The semifinals will see Suva Blues facing Ra and Cakaudrove to...
Saqanavere appointed as U18 Fiji coach
SCHOOL teacher Masi Saqanavere has been appointed coach of the Fiji under-18 side. Equipped with a World Rugby level three coaching certificate, Saqanavere’s first assignment is to prepare a team for a tour to New Zealand next month. His selection comes after coaching the Ratu Kadavulevu School U15 team to victory in the Deans competition...
