Pasifika Sipoti in brief for 4 July
Photo:
John Cowpland / action press
Christian Lio-Willie will make his debut for the All Blacks when the team meets France in Dunedin on Saturday in the first of three test matches.
The Crusaders number eight, who is of Samoan heritage, replaced injured Wallace Sititi in the squad last week and has been thrown straight into the starting lineup.
Another player with Samoan heritage, Du'Plesis Kirifi, looks set to also make his debut off the bench.
The duo join seven other players with Pasifika origin in the All Blacks match-day 23 named by head coach Scott Robertson.
PNG Hunters rugby league head coach Paul Aiton says the team can still finish in the top four if the players are focused on what they need to do.
The National
reported last year's late surge is something Aiton is using to remind the players, as they fight to get back into the top eight.
The Hunters face the Townsville Blackhawks in Port Moresby on Sunday.
Aiton said the players just need to believe in themselves and get the job done.
Papua New Guinea boxer Sheilla Yama has booked her spot at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
The National
newspaper reports the super lightweight boxer, currently ranked 20th by BoxRec, has qualified for both the Glasgow Games and the Oceania senior championship in Tahiti in September.
Yama qualified after winning the Professional Boxing Commission international super lightweight title, beating Ireland's Louise Crevan in Auckland.
PNG Boxing Union president Gideon Kendiono said they are proud of the boxer, who also won the gold medal in the women's 66-kilogram categtory at the 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara.
Tonga will now be able to host sports events under lights, following the commissioning of new lights at Te'ufaiva Stadium in Nuku'alofa.
The island kingdom lost out on hosting the Moana Pasifika and Chiefs Super Rugby Pacific clash in March because the lights had not been installed, as the game was scheduled for the evening.
Tonga's Ministry of Sports said having the lights installed will mean more sporting activities, including international events, at the stadium.
Talks are underway to have either an internatinal rugby union or rugby league game at the venue in August.
Two more players of Pasifika origin have been named to play for the combined Australia/New Zealand Invitational XV against the British and Irish Lions on 12 July.
Kiwi duo Ngani Laumape and Joshua Fusitu'a, who have Samoan origins, join three others of Pasifika origin named on Monday.
Laumape played 15 tests for the All Blacks, while Fusitu'a has been impressive for the Blues in the Super Rugby Pacific competition.
The duo join fellow Pasifika heritage players, Crusaders captain David Havili, Highlanders halfback Folau Fakatava and former All Black Shannon Frizell.
Fiji women's football team head coach Angeline Chua is confident her team has what it takes to lift the trophy at the OFC Women's Nations Cup 2025, which kicks off on Saturday in Suva, Fiji.
The Fijians are in group B with Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu and have eight overseas-based players in their squad.
Solomon Islands coach Moses Toata said they are excited for the opportunity to test themselves against the best in the region.
Tonga head coach Kilifi Uele said they have blended local talent with a handful of US-based players in a youthful squad; while Vanuatu's Jean-Robert Yelou stated their preparation has had its challenges.
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NZ Herald
6 hours ago
- NZ Herald
All Blacks vs France: Where the first test will be won
The accuracy and speed demanded by test rugby are a significant step up from the Super scene, which usually requires a period of adjustment. How that quartet channel nerves bubbling within will determine their ability to seize the biggest occasion of their careers. All Blacks debutants Fabian Holland, Christian Lio-Willie, Ollie Norris and Du'Plessis Kirifi. Photo / Photosport Last year, in Scott Robertson's first test as head coach, the All Blacks escaped with a knife-edge one-point victory against England in Dunedin. While the venue is the same, on many fronts this year is different. From the extended management to incumbent players, a vastly greater shared understanding and cohesion is carried through from Robertson's shaky year one to the start of year two. The mood emanating from the All Blacks camp this week is much calmer compared to this time last year. And, of course, there's the significantly weaker opposition… French done before the start line? Averaging 14 test caps per player, and with much of their elite talent left at home following their Top 14 domestic final, there's every reason to suggest France are a puncher's chance at best against the All Blacks. Fabien Galthié has named eight rookies in his 23-man squad for this first test – five in the starting team. They include Bayonne first five-eighths Joris Segonds, loose forward Alexandre Fischer, lock Tyler Duguid, wing Tom Spring and prop Giorgi Beria. South African-born Jacobus van Tonder, Paul Mallez and Regis Montagne will debut off the bench too. Midfielder Gaël Fickou will captain France in Dunedin. Photo / Photosport Gaël Fickou, the classy 94-test veteran, captains the French from the midfield. Toulon wing Gabin Villiere, starting tighthead prop Rabah Slimani (57 caps) and towering lock Romain Taofifenua, who will emerge from the bench, boost overall experience, but there is no escaping the green, developmental French B side. Racing 92 halfback Nolann le Garrec is one to watch in a French backline typically stacked with attacking strike. But after one warm-up match against a heavily depleted English side – due to their extensive British and Irish Lions contingent in Australia – this green team could well be exposed. Tall timber Missing first-choice props Tamaiti Williams and Tyrel Lomax is a blow for the All Blacks. While they won't lack scrummaging power, Ethan de Groot and Fletcher Newell do not boast the same mobility or deft ball skills. The All Blacks should, though, dominate the air. With three locks – Holland, captain Scott Barrett and Tupou Vaa'i, there are no excuses for the All Blacks to not cleanly claim their restarts and lineouts. They should be able to target the French throws, too. Vaa'i, starting his first test at blindside flanker since the opening 2023 World Cup defeat to France in Paris, has trained on the side of the scrum for the past 10 days. Tupou Vaa'i in action against Argentina last year. Photo / Photosport With five loose forwards in their 33-man squad, the All Blacks were always light in this department, with Vaa'i and Barrett designated blindside cover. Few, if anyone, envisioned the All Blacks throwing Vaa'i straight into the No 6 jersey, though. It's unfair to compare anyone with Springboks enforcer Pieter-Steph du Toit, but that is clearly the prototype the All Blacks are seeking with their blindside – a big man capable of commanding the air and imposing a physical imprint around the field. Last year, Vaa'i proved he is evolving into a world-class lock. This weekend, he's asked to broaden his brief to project a modern, mobile, bruising blindside flanker. Injecting impact Finishing what they start sits at the forefront of the All Blacks' improvements this year. The composition of their bench, while inexperienced this week, points to their desire for notable impact. Come the second half, if the French remain in the contest, they will be wary of the power and pace the All Blacks unleash from their ever-evolving bench. Damian McKenzie has a point to prove with Beauden Barrett preferred as starting playmaker. As fatigue sets in, McKenzie will be at his lethal, game-breaking best. When the All Blacks want to lift the tempo further in the closing quarter, Cortez Ratima's speed to the base will be injected. Quinn Tupaea, ahead of his first test in four years, promises to bring the midfield punch he displayed for the Chiefs all season. Quinn Tupaea makes a break against the USA. Photo / Photosport Kirifi's turnover prowess should provide opportunities to pounce on the counterattack against a disjointed defence. He will be itching for his long-awaited debut and must, therefore, harness the same controlled decision-making that typified his leadership with the Hurricanes. Chiefs hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho, returning for his first test since the World Cup final, rookie prop Ollie Norris, Pasilio Tosi and Samipeni Finau round out the quartet of mobile, powerful forwards aiming to add a blend of power and offloading the French may struggle to contain. Liam Napier is a Senior Sports Journalist and Rugby Correspondent for the New Zealand Herald. He is a co-host of the Rugby Direct podcast. For live commentary of this weekend's All Blacks v France test, go to GOLD SPORT or iHeartRadio.
Otago Daily Times
7 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
Test fever rises as fans show love for All Blacks
A Dunedin rugby fan is hanging out for an All Blacks win tonight, because "who doesn't love to beat the French?" Rugby fans were out in force at the Wall Street Mall yesterday, waiting in a long line to get a signature from All Blacks Ethan de Groot, Noah Hotham, George Bower, Patrick Tuipulotu and Billy Proctor. Roman, 6, and Ardie, 9, along with their mother Kiri Manuel, were chuffed to get posters and a stuffed bear signed. Roman and Ardie were most excited for a win, and "to see the All Blacks beat the French", Ms Manuel said. "Who doesn't love to beat the French?" Dunedin artist Koryu Aoshima draws a chalk mural of a rooster and a kiwi battling at the Dunedin Railway Station yesterday to celebrate tonight's All Blacks v France test at Forsyth Barr Stadium. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON At the Dunedin Railway Station, artist Koryu Aoshima was commissioned to do a chalk mural for people arriving by train from Mosgiel. He was drawing a kiwi and a rooster to represent the two teams playing.
RNZ News
7 hours ago
- RNZ News
Salesi Rayasi debuts for Fiji at fullback against the Wallabies
Former New Zealand sevens rep Salesi Rayasi trains with the Flying Fijians in Sydney this week, ahead of Sunday's Test against the Wallabies. He has been named to debut for the Fijians at fullback. Photo: Supplied / Fiji Rugby Union Former New Zealand sevens rep Salesi Rayasi has achieved what his dad did 30-odd years ago, after he was named in the Flying Fijians Test team to meet the Wallabies in Sydney on Sunday afternoon. Not only has the player made it into the Fijian national side , he was also named at fullback, the position his dad Filipe excelled in for the Pacific islanders. Filipe played for Fiji between 1994-1997. The younger Rayasi was named by head coach Mick Byrne as the lone debutant in the starting lineup. Having played for the Blues and the Hurricanes in the Super Rugby Pacific competition, Salesi joined Vannes in the French Top 14, signalling his interest to leave New Zealand for Fiji. Byrne included him in the squad last month. He said Rayasi and some others who have joined the squad had brought a lot of experience and different assets to the team. The Flying Fijians training in Sydney this week ahead of Sunday's clash against the Wallabies. Photo: Supplied / Fiji Rugby Union Rayasi is the sole debutant in the run-on side, while Philip Baselala is in line to debut off the bench in the No. 21 jersey. Baselala is a former Fiji U20 halfback who played five matches for the Fijian Drua in 2025, starting against the Western Force and Queensland Reds. "It's exciting times for us," coach Mick Byrne told reporters. "All our players have come down from the north, who have gelled well together as a team and it's an exciting opportunity for us to get in against Australia in Australia, especially in a Lions year when there's a lot of excitement around. "You can see in a couple of Super Rugby games that the Lions have played that the crowd are coming out so we're really looking forward to a big crowd here on Sunday. 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This Test in Newcastle between Fiji and Australia will get underway at 1:30pm local time, or 3:30pm Fiji and New Zealand time on Sunday afternoon. The Flying Fijians match-day 23: 1. Eroni Mawi, 2. Tevita Ikanivere (c), 3. Peni Ravai, 4. Isoa Nasilasila, 5. Temo Mayanavanua, 6. Lekima Tagitagivalu, 7. Elia Canakaivata, 8. Viliame Mata, 9. Simione Kuruvoli, 10. Caleb Muntz, 11. Jiuta Wainiqolo, 12. Josua Tuisova, 13. Iosefo Balewairiki Masi,14. Kalaveti Ravouvou, 15. Salesi Rayasi; Bench - 16. Sam Matavesi, 17. Haereiti Hetet, 18. Mesake Doge, 19. Mesake Vocevoce, 20. Albert Tuisue, 21. Philip Baselala, 22. Isaiah Armstrong Ravula, 23. Sireli Maqala. The Wallabies match-day 23: 1. James Slipper, 2. David Porecki, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Nick Frost, 5. Jeremy Williams, 6. Langi Gleeson, 7. Fraser McReight, 8. Harry Wilson (c), 9. Tate McDermott, 10. Noah Lolesio, 11. Max Jorgensen, 12. Len Ikitau, 13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 14. Harry Potter, Wright; Bench - 16. Billy Pollard, 17. Angus Bell, 18. Zane Nonggorr, 19. Tom Hooper, 20. Carlo Tizzano, 21. Nic White, 22. Ben Donaldson, 23. Filipo Daugunu. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
