The Fiji Times

Vatubua to fight NZ boxer

Former IBO (International Boxing Organization) World Champion Renold Charles Samuela Vatubua is set to face New Zealand boxer Robert Berridge in the main bout of the Toe-to-Toe Boxing Promotion in November. Vatubua, who shares maternal links to Kadavu, has fought 29 professional bouts all over the world since his debut in the ring 15 years...

Suva next for holders

Defending INKK Farebrother Sullivan Trophy champions Nadroga would face their biggest challenge when they take on Suva at Lawaqa Park tomorrow. The Capital city side, which did not only top the Skipper Cup ladder after round seven, are also undefeated in the competition, and could pose a serious challenge to the Stallions for the coveted...

Ranitu: We need to be ruthless

‘We need to be ruthless in defense’. This according to Lautoka Maroons head coach Peniona Ranitu ahead of the Nivea Vanua Trophy Challenge against Rewa tomorrow at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka. The Maroons left it right till the last minute in securing their win last weekend against Northland, and are aware that Rewa would execute...

Rewa anticipates a tough game against Lautoka

Rewa is anticipating a tough physical clash against defending Vanua Trophy Challenge trophy holders Lautoka this Saturday at Lawaqa Park. “We know that Lautoka is a very strong team as we had already played against them in the semi-finals of the Vanua Championship,” Rewa Rugby Union club games chairman Joji Daurewa said. He said they...

NZ women’s 7s team eager to shine in Suva

The New Zealand women’s national 7s team will be the team to watch out for in the Mini International Women’s 7s tournament that will be held in Suva. Head coach Cory Sweeney said his side was happy to be in Fiji and are anticipating an exciting competition when the mini-tournament starts today. “We just love...

Donu back for Fijiana

Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s forward Sesenieli Donu will be taking to the field today for the first time in eight months. The 27-year-old injured her right knee during the Women’s Rugby World Cup late last year. Donu is currently part of the extended Fijiana 7s side that is preparing for the Mini International Women’s tournament...

Group presents painting to team

A group of people living with disabilities in Bordeaux presented the FIJI Water Flying Fijians with a painting as a show of support towards their Rugby World Cup campaign. With the help of mural painter Mickael Dupuis, a social worker for people living with disabilities, the group was able to put together the piece with...

Players hold clinics

Several players from the FIJI Water Flying Fijians camp visited the Club de Rugby Lormont to hold clinics with more than 100 children in Bordeaux, France yesterday. Head coach Simon Raiwalui was joined by players Vilive Miramira, Iosefo Masi, Selestino Ravutaumada, Simione Kuruvoli and Zuriel Togiatama, and some of the coaching staff. The team took...

Special bond between team, hotel staff

Staff members of the Renaissance Hotel in Bordeaux have grown a liking for their guests in the FIJI Water Flying Fijians. The bond between the players/management and hotel staff is such that “things have not been the same” at the five-star property when the Fijians were away in St Etienne. The hotel has been the...

‘Opportunity to regroup’

The FIJI Water Flying Fijians are soaking in the atmosphere with time off before their next Rugby World Cup pool C match against Georgia. After a disappointing 26-32 loss to Wales in their opening game, the side bounced back to beat Australia 22-15 and keep their campaign alive. The side will face Georgia on October...

‘We want to make history’

FIJI Water Flying Fijians utility-back player Semi Radradra says the hurt of losing to Wales helped build fire in the bellies to prove they are a better team. The 26-32 loss in their 2023 Rugby World Cup match at Stade de Bordeaux in Bordeaux was a heartbreaker for many Fijian fans and the players themselves....

Flying Fijian mum believes team has what it takes to bring Cup home

Makarita Savai, mother of FIJI Water Flying Fijians winger Selestino Ravutaumada believes the side has what it takes to bring the Webb Ellis Cup home. The Fijian Drua winger was in sensational form during Fiji’s win over England, one of the warm-up matches just before the World Cup. Ravutaumada, although heavily marked by the Welsh...

Portugal stack bench with forwards for Georgia match

SAINT-ETIENNE, France (Reuters) -Portugal coach Patrice Lagisquet has stacked his bench with six forwards to counteract Georgia’s power up front late in the game when the familiar foes meet at the World Cup in Toulouse on Saturday. The Portuguese have played Georgia more than any other country barring neighbours Spain and Romania but have not...

Farrell, Smith and Arundell start for England against Chile

By Mitch Phillips MARSEILLE, France (Reuters) -England’s Owen Farrell will make his first appearance at the Rugby World Cup when he starts at flyhalf against Chile in Lille on Saturday with Marcus Smith at fullback and Henry Arundell on the wing as coach Steve Borthwick shuffles his resources. Farrell missed the wins over Argentina and...

Gordon set for axe as Wallabies face Welsh reckoning

By Nick Mulvenney SAINT-ETIENNE, France (Reuters) – Australia coach Eddie Jones looks set to abandon at least part of his gamble on youth at the World Cup by dropping flyhalf Carter Gordon for the crunch Pool C match against Wales this weekend. Jones omitted experienced playmakers Quade Cooper and Bernard Foley from his squad for...

Ireland bring in Gibson-Park for Pool B showdown with South Africa

PARIS (Reuters) – Ireland named scrumhalf Jamison Gibson-Park in their only change for the crunch Rugby World Cup Pool B clash with South Africa in Paris on Saturday as coach Andy Farrell selected an unchanged pack with a 5-3 split between forwards and backs on the bench. The fixture is expected to decide who finishes...

Georgia retain World Cup ambitions beyond Portugal match

SAINT-ETIENNE (Reuters) -Georgia coach Levan Maisashvili said the Lelos still have World Cup ambitions beyond beating Portugal in Toulouse on Saturday in a clash between the strongest European teams from outside the Six Nations. The match has been billed as the battle for fourth place in Pool C behind Wales, Fiji and Australia but Maisashvili...

Springboks ready for huge Ireland clash, back bench revolution

PARIS (Reuters) – South Africa’s Rugby World Cup Pool B clash with world number one side Ireland in Paris on Saturday is as big as it gets according to captain Siya Kolisi, while coach Jacques Nienaber knew their 7-1 bench “innovation” would get a negative response. Ireland are on a run of 15 straight victories...

Long road brings Leali’ifano home to Samoa at World Cup

SAINT-ETIENNE, France (Reuters) – Cancer survivor, former Wallaby and one of the nicest people in rugby, Christian Leali’ifano’s road to the World Cup has been longer and tougher than most but the flyhalf says he is finally at home in the Manu Samoa squad. The 35-year-old is one of the beneficiaries of the 2021 eligibility...

Argentina remain top of FIFA world rankings

(Reuters) – World champions Argentina strengthened their grip at the top of the FIFA world rankings in the latest list on Thursday, with the top five remaining unchanged after the international break. Argentina, who dethroned Brazil at the summit in April, remained top after beating Ecuador and Bolivia in their 2026 World Cup qualifiers earlier...

South Africa make two changes to World Cup squad due to injuries

(Reuters) – South Africa will be without fast bowler Anrich Nortje and all-rounder Sisanda Magala for the Cricket World Cup in India after both were ruled out of the tournament through injury, officials confirmed on Thursday. Seamer Lizaad Williams and all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo have been called up as replacements, with South Africa to open their...

England rest Root ahead of World Cup, Kohler-Cadmore called up for Ireland ODIs

(Reuters) – Joe Root is being rested for the remainder of England’s One-Day International (ODI) series against Ireland, with wicketkeeper-batter Tom Kohler-Cadmore replacing the former captain, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Thursday. “In preparation for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India starting next month, Yorkshire and England men’s batter...

Spain’s women players to end boycott after federation commits to change

OLIVA, Spain (Reuters) -Spain’s World Cup winning-squad agreed to end their boycott of the national team on Wednesday after the country’s football federation (RFEF) said it would make “immediate and profound changes”, including reshuffling its top management. The decision was reached around 5 a.m. (0300 GMT) after more than seven hours of meetings at a...

Messi exits in first half of Inter Miami match

(Reuters) – Lionel Messi exited Inter Miami’s match against Toronto FC before halftime with an unspecified injury on Wednesday. The Argentinian took off the captain’s armband and handed it to DeAndre Yedlin before being replaced by Robert Taylor in the 37th minute with the score at 0-0. The 36-year-old missed Miami’s 5-2 loss at Atlanta...

Poland appoint Probierz as new coach

(Reuters) -Michal Probierz has replaced Fernando Santos as coach of Poland’s national team, the Polish Football Association (PZPN) said on Wednesday. Poland parted ways with Portuguese coach Santos last week following their 2-0 defeat in Albania, which left them struggling to qualify for Euro 2024. “Michal Probierz has been appointed selector of the Polish national...

Captain Lamaro lauds Italy’s second-half comeback against Uruguay

NICE, France (Reuters) -It was all going horribly wrong for Italy as they trailed Uruguay by 10 points at the break in their Rugby World Cup Pool A encounter on Wednesday but a halftime reckoning got them back on track before they powered to a 38-17 victory. A penalty try and yellow cards for Niccolo...

Storm in the hunt

A handful of players are expected to be recruited by the Melbourne Storm next month when the Fiji National Rugby League Junior Bati Academy takes on Caloundra State High School. This was confirmed by Fiji Bati head coach and academy founder Wise Kativerata, who said both the East and West academies would be facing the...

Overseas opponents to test players

The Fiji National Rugby League Junior Bati side will be playing two matches against the Caloundra State High School in Lautoka later this month. Team coach Wise Kativerata said this would be another good opportunity for the Junior Bati players to test themselves against international opponents. “We want to express our heartfelt thanks to Petero’s...

Academy camp ‘more than just rugby league’

The Fiji National Rugby League Academy camp came an end earlier this week after a 3-week get together. Vodafone Fiji Bati head coach Wise Kativerata said the camp was much more than just rugby league. “Reflecting on our unforgettable three-week academy camp, it was more than just rugby league. It’s about life’s essential lessons. From...

Sport

592 athletes, officials confirmed for Pacific Games