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1st October
RWC 2023 | Atmosphere builds up ahead of Fiji-Georgia match
The atmosphere here in Bordeaux is building up as the Fiji versus Georgia match draws closer. Fijians from all over the world have flown in to France to watch this game. Former players and their...
Foster happy to quell “panic” over World Cup chances
LYON, France (Reuters) -New Zealand have laid down a marker for the remainder of the Rugby World Cup following their superb 96-17 victory over Italy in Pool A on Friday, with a delighted coach Ian Foster admitting he did not see the huge scoreline coming. The All Blacks ran in 14 tries as they overwhelmed...
Former butcher Sebastian ready to grab his Scotland chance
LILLE, France (Reuters) – Scotland’s Javan Sebastian quit rugby to become a butcher but it was a short-lived career change and he has come full circle to earn a first Rugby World Cup start in Saturday’s Pool B fixture against Romania in Lille. Prop Sebastian’s rugby journey has been unconventional, but at age 29 he...
New Zealand hammer sorry Italy to close in on World Cup quarter-finals
LYON, France (Reuters) – Three-time champions New Zealand ran in 14 tries to destroy Italy 96-17 for a bonus-point victory in Pool A and take a decisive step towards the quarter-finals at the Rugby World Cup on Friday. The All Blacks, with lock Sam Whitelock celebrating a record 149th cap, showed no mercy at Lyon’s...
30th September
RWC 2023 | Ratuniyarawa presents jerseys for Fiji vs Georgia clash
FORMER Flying Fijians lock forward Api Ratuniyarawa handed out the jerseys to the matchday 23 who will face Georgia in a few hours time. The 37-year-old was part of the initial Fiji Rugby World Cup squad but pulled out because of family commitments. He was in Bordeaux on Friday night to hand out the jerseys...
RWC 2023 | Byrne backs Raiwalui’s line-up selection
Swire Shipping Fijian Drua head coach Mick Byrne stated that the strong Flying Fijians line-up for the crucial match against Georgia has been a ‘great call’ by Simon Raiwalui. While talking to Drua’s head of commerical and marketing Shane Hussein during the ‘Drua Talk’ podcast, Byrne said the line-up showed how much a bonus point...
Tonga make three changes for “great occasion” against South Africa
MARSEILLE, France – Semisi Paea will start at number eight in the place of suspended Vaea Fifita, while there are two new wings in Anzelo Tuitavuki and Fine Inisi for Tonga in their Rugby World Cup Pool B clash against South Africa in Marseille on Sunday. Fifita received a four-game ban for his red card...
Uruguay’s Dosantos to miss New Zealand showdown after ban
Uruguay flanker Eric Dosantos will miss his side’s final Rugby World Cup Pool A fixture with New Zealand in Lyon on Oct. 5 after receiving an effective two-match ban for a dangerous tackle in the 36-26 victory over Namibia on Wednesday. Dosantos was too upright as he clashed heads with Namibia’s Adriaan Booysen in an...
From joker to captain courageous, Kolisi reaches milestone
TOULON, France (Reuters) – Siya Kolisi will captain South Africa for the 50th time in the must-win Rugby World Cup Pool B clash with Tonga in Marseille on Sunday, something that would have seemed fanciful in his early years when just having food on the table was a daily challenge. The flanker has become an...
Jones prepared to be the fall guy as Wallabies eye Portugal win
LYON, France (Reuters) -Wallabies coach Eddie Jones said he took full responsibility for Australia’s disappointing World Cup campaign and is hoping his young team will produce a performance to make the country proud in Sunday’s final Pool C match against Portugal. Jones and his players have received a barrage of criticism since their 40-6 loss...
RWC 2023 | Royal inspiration for Fiji
THE Flying Fijians have been boosted by well wishes from King Charles in Bordeaux last Friday as the team prepares for their next pool match against Georgia this weekend. King Charles surprised the team in what trainer Nacanieli Cawanibuka said was a “cool experience”. “It was a great experience. We formed a walkway for him...
Aussies ‘too strong’ for Fijiana 7s
The Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s side recorded their second loss of day two in the Fiji Airways International 7s tournament after they were convincingly beaten by Aussie Green 34-12 at Churchill Park in Lautoka yesterday. Australia looked confident with ball in hand from the first whistle as Maddison Levi went over the line for the...
Levan maps plan
THE FIJI Water Flying Fijians can expect Georgia to come out with all guns firing when the two sides meet in their Rugby World Cup pool C match at the Stade de Bordeaux tomorrow 3.45am F(iji time). Georgia head coach Levan Maisashvili says they plan to chance their arm against a strong Fiji side by taking...
RWC 2023 | Team adopts new belief
Ubuntu is an African philosophy meaning “I am because we are”. It is a phrase that has been adopted by the FIJI Water Flying Fijians during the Rugby World Cup in France. In a team context, it is adding value to a collective target that emphasises unity. While there is competition for the matchday 23 within...
RWC 2023 | Georgia a threat
FIJI Water Flying Fijians blindside flanker Lekima Tagitagivalu knows too well the physical power of Georgia’s players. Having played against some of them at his Pau club and the French Top 14 competition, Tagitagivalu is looking forward to a real battle. “They are a very physical team, very tough. We need to match that physicality...
RWC 2023 | Levan maps plans
The FIJI Water Flying Fijians can expect Georgia to change their game from defence to attack when the two sides meet in a Rugby World Cup pool C match at the Stade de Bordeaux tomorrow. Georgia head coach Levan Maisashvili says they plan to chance their arm against a strong Fiji side by taking the...
RWC 2023 | Coach makes one change to starting
FIJI Water Flying Fijians head coach Simon Raiwalui has made one change to his starting 15 to face Georgia tomorrow – Selestino Ravutaumada in on the wing for Jiuta Wainiqolo. There is one change on the bench with prop Samu Tawake coming in for Mesake Doge. “There’s a couple of changes there, obviously Jiuta Wainiqolo...
RWC 2023 | Big challenge on hand – Simon
FIJI Water Flying Fijians head coach Simon Raiwalui says they have a big challenge on their hands when they come up against a very physical Georgia side at Stade de Bordeaux tomorrow. The two sides will meet again after having last played out a 15-all draw two years ago at the height of the COVID-19...
Farebrother Trophy | Physical clash … Naba expects tough Nadi challenge
We are expecting a very physical encounter, says Nadroga coach Etonia Naba ahead of their crucial clash against Nadi in the INKK Farebrother Trophy Challenge match today at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka. While speaking to this newspaper, the former national 7s captain said the feeling in camp was good with the boys eager for the...
RWC2023 | Team has stepped up defence
FIJI Water Flying Fijians assistant coach Darly Gibson says players have stepped up in terms of their defence during the Rugby World Cup in France. The side will take on Georgia tomorrow at the Stade de Bordeaux in their pool C clash which kicks off at 3.45am. “I think defence, along with a number of factors,...
RWC2023 | Gibson says current side best prepped Fiji team ever
THE current FIJI Water Flying Fijians team is the best prepared side to date to compete at a Rugby World Cup, says assistant coach Daryl Gibson. The side has three players who are appearing in their third World Cup – openside flanker Levani Botia, captain Waisea Nayacalevu and prop Peni Ravai. Majority of the 33-member...
RWC2023 | Gibson says Fiji is ready for ‘motivated’ Georgia
FIJI Water Flying Fijians assistant coach Daryl Gibson says Georgia will be motivated to get their first win of the 2023 Rugby World Cup against Fiji tomorrow. The Lelos have recorded a loss to Australia and draw with Portugal, and face the Flying Fijians at Stade de Bordeaux at 3.45am. Fiji goes into the match...
29th September
Dupont’s recovery going well, last eight participation still in the balance
AIX-EN-PROVENCE, France (Reuters) -Antoine Dupont’s recovery is going well and the France captain’s condition will be assessed when he returns to the squad this weekend, Les Bleus’ health manager said on Thursday. Dupont underwent surgery on a broken cheekbone and the French camp is hoping the scrumhalf will be able to play in the quarter-finals...
Samoa rue poor discipline in World Cup defeat to Japan
TOULOUSE, France (Reuters) – Poor discipline and a lack of execution were behind Samoa’s 28-22 loss to Japan in their Rugby World Cup Pool D clash on Thursday, which leaves their quarter-final hopes hanging by a thread. Only an extraordinary set of results, including a bonus-point win over already qualified England in their final pool...
Japan already looking forward to ‘Grand Final’ against Argentina
(Reuters) – Japan quickly turned their focus to their Pool D decider against Argentina after beating Samoa 28-22 on Thursday as they eye a second consecutive quarter-final spot at the Rugby World Cup. The Brave Blossoms were on top of things in Toulouse and prevailed with three tries by Pieter Labuschagne, Michael Leitch, Kazuki Himeno...
World Cup 2023 knockout stage: which teams will qualify?
(Reuters) – The knockout stage of the 2023 Rugby World Cup will begin on Oct. 14. The following is a look at the teams who have qualified for the quarter-finals, schedule and betting odds: POOL C WALES Wales qualified for the quarter-finals with a win over Australia on Sept. 24. Wales were the first team...
Qoro: Nadi to do talking on the field
“We will do the talking on the field”. These are the words of Nadi Jets manager Epeli Qoro ahead of their crucial clash against Nadroga in the INKK Farebrother Trophy challenge tomorrow. The Stallions have managed to keep hold onto the trophy after three weeks of intense challenges against Namosi, Naitasiri and Suva. The Etonia...
Maroons brace for ‘last’ Vanua challenge
The Lautoka Maroons side is bracing for a tough challenge from Vanua Championship finalist Ba in the Nivea Vanua Trophy Challenge match at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka tomorrow. The Maroons have only Ba to beat in order to walk away with the trophy when the dust settles after the game. Lautoka on their way to...
Forty sign 7s contract
A total of 40 Fijian 7s players signed a one-year contract each this week in an effort to win two gold medals at the Olympic Games in Paris, France next year. Fiji Rugby Union board interim chairman Peter Mazey confirmed this to Times Sport in an interview yesterday. The players are 20 each from the...
French outclass Fuli’s side
The Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s side lost their round one match against a strong French side 24-21 during the Fiji Airways Mini International 7s at Churchill Park in Lautoka yesterday. The French were quick off the mark as tries from Omcoe Jacquet and Caroline Drouin handed them a 10-nil lead going into the break. France...
