The Fiji Times

Bati named; Sims, Saifiti brothers and Blake miss out

The Sims brothers and the Saifiti twins were the big names missing from the Vodafone Fiji Bati Rugby League World Cup squad named by head coach Josaia Rabele in England yesterday. The Fiji Bati’s first game is against Australia on October 15. Korbin Sims, who is playing in the Super League for Hull KR and brother Tariq,...

‘Students to be monitored’

Police will be closely monitoring students travelling to Lautoka for the Fiji Secondary School Rugby Union Deans finals this weekend. Chief operations officer Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Abdul Khan said a traffic management plan had been put together by the Fiji Police Force which would include escorting packages for participating teams. “The recent attacks...

Leweniqila grateful

With three days to go until the Rugby World Cup 2021 gets underway, the wait is almost over for Fijiana skipper Sereima Leweniqila. After mixed results from its past two games where the Senirusi Seruvakila-coached side defeated the New Zealand Wahine Maori 32-10 and a loss to world No.3 Canada 24-7 in the final Vodafone...

Cokanasiga recalled by Jones, joins camp

Fijian giant Joe Cokanasiga was named by head coach Eddie Jones in London for a three-day training camp. RugbyPass reported the side is currently preparing for their four Autumn Nations Series fixtures at Twickenham Stadium in November, when they’ll play Los Pumas, Japan, the All Blacks and the Springboks. Full squad Forwards: Ollie Chessum, Alex...

England to play Fiji in RWC warm-up

The Vodafone Flying Fijians is scheduled to play a warm-up match against England next year ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France. England head coach Eddie Jones while confirming the news to RugbyPass and at the same time wary of what the Fijian side can bring to on game day. “We also know...

Final hurdle – Faith, confidence drive Flagstaff warriors

The Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby Union Deans Trophy will find a new home in Suva this weekend after the under-18 final between Suva Grammar School and Marist Brothers High School. The southern zone neighbours survived the western heat and challenge last Saturday at Prince Charles Park in Nadi, beating Natabua High School 30-26 and 17-13...

Fijiana ready for Roses

The Fijiana 15s side is aware of the uphill battle they will face when they take on world number one England in their opening match at the Women’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. It will always be a tough ask for the Fijian girls who are ranked 21 to go up against the world...

Team settles in well in NZ

The Fijiana 15s side has settled in well in New Zealand ahead of the Women’s Rugby World Cup which starts this week. The Fijiana, ranked 21 in the world, will take on world number one England in their first ever match at a world cup. Team captain Sereima Leweniqila said the support received so far...

‘Red Fire’ running hot

Suva Grammar School beat Marist Brothers High School 20-10 during the third round of the Southern Zone competition. But come this Saturday, the “Red Fire” under-18 side will run on to Churchill Park, Lautoka, determined to turn things around. Marist is aware of what to expect in the final of the Vodafone Super Deans competition...

Funds raised for a good cause

All funds raised from the 2022 Fiji Bitter Namalata, Kadavu 7s will go towards the building of new teachers’ quarters and renovations at Namalata Central College. This, according to tournament coordinator Malakai Yamaivava. “We will try and raise as much funds as possible so we can build some new quarters for teachers here plus there...

Club helps with prep

The Namalata Rugby Club members took time out yesterday to help out in preparations for the inaugural Fiji Bitter Namalata 7s in Kadavu. The tournament, which kicks off tomorrow, has drawn a lot of attention to the island and club president Alivereti Cokanasiga said it was a good time to revive the sport there. “We...

Jordie Barrett re-signs for All Blacks until 2025

All Blacks backline regular Jordie Barrett has signed a new deal that will keep him in the capital with the Hurricanes and New Zealand Rugby (NZR) through till the end of 2025. It is understood Barrett’s contract could include a sabbatical clause which would give him the right to skip a Super Rugby season to...

Namalata 7s: Final touches done

The first-ever Fiji Bitter Namalata 7s is set to attract a huge contingent to the island of Kadavu this week. Sixty-eight rugby and netball teams will converge on the fourth largest island in the country for a three-day battle. Tournament co-ordinator Malakai Yamaivava, who is on Kadavu since last week, said preparation works had been...

Fijians on Top 14 score list

Fijian winger Jiuta Wainiqolo continues his try scoring spree after dotting down for his French Toulon in their 34-17 win against Pau during the Top 14 competition. Wainiqolo, who scored against Clermont last week, went over for his try in the 29th minute of the match. He played alongside Flying Fijians centyre Waisea Nayacalevu while...

NPC: Canterbury to face Northland as quarterfinalists confirmed

As Canterbury staggered their way to an unconvincing 27-21 victory over Otago in Dunedin on Saturday night, you had to ask one question. Is this side good enough to win the NPC? Because if Canterbury are to win this competition – they must beat Northland in their Evens conference quarterfinal in Christchurch next Saturday to...

Club marks 50th anniversary

The Nasinu Rugby Club celebrated its humble beginning in style with 50th anniversary celebration in Suva on Friday night. The club pay tribute to the foresight and hard work of its founder Taito Rauluni, who envisioned the need for a rugby club to make the dreams of community based rugby players a reality. It was...

RKS, MBHS stamp mark

Two teams from the Central Division will fight for the Vodafone Super Deans Championship under-14 trophy next Saturday at Churchill Park in Lautoka. The final will be between Ratu Kadavulevu School and Marist Brothers High School. They won their respective semi-finals at Prince Charles Park in Nadi yesterday with RKS given a ticket to the...

Buca girls to come back stronger next year

The Bucalevu Secondary School team players had their hopes of reaching the Raluve under-16 final shattered after they were defeaded 24-0 by Sigatoka Methodist School in the semi-finals in Prince Charles Park, Nadi yesterday. The teacher in charge of organising the team, Akata Samuri, said despite their loss, they were content with how far they...

Fans turn out for team

The huge turnout from the Suva Grammar School supporters and former students was perhaps a key factor in the school’s good performance in the Deans Trophy competition. Out of the many SGS supporters was Vani Tudrau, a former student. Tudrau and many other supporters made their way down from the Capital City around 4am yesterday...

Suva schools battle for Deans U18 title; Marist faces Lions in final

Suva Grammar School and its neighbour Marist Brothers High School will battle in the Vodafone Super Deans Championship under-18 final at Churchill Park in Lautoka next Saturday. Suva Grammar beat a strong Natabua High School challenge 30-26 in the first U18 semi-final while MBHS outclassed Ba Provincial Freebird Institute 17-13 in the second semi. Suva...

Tupaea targets playing return in nine months after knee surgery

Oct 1 (Reuters) – All Blacks centre Quinn Tupaea is hoping to return to action ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup as he prepares for knee surgery on a season-ending injury sustained against Australia last month. Wallabies lock Darcy Swain was banned for six weeks for the controversial clean-out that ruptured the 23-year-old’s knee...

2022 Super Deans: MBHS to face SGS in U18 final

Marist Brothers High School defeated Ba Provincial Freebird Institute 17-13 to book a date with Suva Grammar School in the under-18 division final of the Vodafone Super Deans next week. SGS had earlier defeated Natabua High School 30-26 in the first semi-final. The finals will be held at Lautoka’s Churchill Park.

2022 Raluve Trophy: Lautoka schools clash in U18 final

It will be an all-Sugar City final in the Weet-Bix Raluve under-18 grade when Natabua High School faces neighbours Jasper Williams High School next Saturday at Lautoka’s Prince Charles Park. Jasper Williams beat St John’s College 19-10 while Natabua had slow start to beat St Bedes College 12-7 in the semi-finals. More in tomorrow’s edition...

2022 Raluve Trophy: NHS through to Raluve U18 final

The Natabua High School side beat St Bedes College 12-7 at Prince Charles Park in Nadi to book its place in the Weet-Bix Raluve under-18 final. St Bedes got off to a flying start to score a converted try and led 7-0 after two minutes into the game. Natabua hit back in the final minute...

2022 Super Deans: Ra High beats RKS to secure U19 final spot

The Ra High School side will feature in the final of the under-19 grade at the 2022 Vodafone Super Deans Rugby competition. This after the side beat Ratu Kadavulevu School 20-18 in the semi-final. RKS led 13-10 at half-time. More in tomorrow’s edition of The Sunday Times.

2022 Super Deans: SGS through to U17 final

The Suva Grammar School under-17 team is a match away from retaining its title after beating a strong Queen Victoria School challenge in their Vodafone Super Deans semi-final at Prince Charles Park in Nadi. The champion from Veiuto won 14-9 despite carrying injuries before the match. Coach Tevita Koroi said stern advices and support from...

2022 Super Deans: RKS to face MBHS in U14 showdown

A NEW Vodafone Super Deans under-14 champion will be crowned next week. The new will be decided Ratu Kadavulevu School and Marist Brothers High School in the final at Churchill Park in Lautoka next Saturday. RKS dethroned holders Suva Grammar School in the first semi-final at Prince Charles Park in Nadi this morning. The teams...

Rugby World Cup ticket sales surge past 30,000 for Eden Park opener as records tumble

Rugby World Cup organisers have set their sights on selling out Eden Park for the opening match day of the tournament after announcing that ticket sales have already surpassed 30,000. The Black Ferns will play Australia next Saturday at the 47,000-capacity venue as part of a triple-header to start the Rugby World Cup, and the...

‘Character building’ – Grammar rugby team out to emulate athletics victory

Expect to see the unusual walk of the Suva Grammar School under-18 team rugby side against rare opponent Natabua High School in tomorrow’s 2022 Vodafone Super Deans Trophy Championship at Prince Charles Park in Nadi. The Veiuto-based school will put on its Lion characters as it marches towards reclaiming the coveted Fiji Secondary Schools rugby...

Rugby

Best referees for final