Latest news with #EmoniNarawa
RNZ News
21 hours ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Pasifika Sipoti in brief for 30 July
Timoci Tavatavanawai and Emoni Narawa. Photo: Kerry Marshall / A number of All Blacks with Pasifika heritage will be in action for their provincial teams when the National Provincial Championship (NPC) kicks off this week. Queen Victoria School alumni from Fiji, Emoni Narawa and Timoci Tavatavanawai, will be on opposite ends when Bay of Plenty meets Tasman in Tauranga on Sunday. Narawa joins fellow All Black and Samoan heritage player Pasilio Tosi in the Bay of Plenty squad, while Tavatavanawai is contracted to Tasman. A number of Manu Samoa and 'Ikale Tahi reps are also expected to be in action during the NPC. Samoan-Tongan Phillip Fatialofa is set to play for New Zealand's Futsal Whites at the Continental Futsal Championship in Thailand. Oceania Football says the player is set to make his debut for Aotearoa, with the team scheduled to meet Chinese Taipei on Thursday in their first game. Fatialofa says his selection is a dream come true. With a Samoan dad and a part-Tongan mother, the 21-year-old grew up playing football in Wellington and represented Samoa at the OFC Under-19 Men's Championship in 2023. The Futsal Whites meet Thailand on Friday in their second pool game. The 'Ikale Tahi rugby squad started their preparation for the upcoming Pacific Nations Cup in Auckland at the weekend. Head coach Tevita Tuifua said the camp brought players together for the first time this year. Missing were some players who are currently committed to the NPC in New Zealand. Former All Black Salesi Piutau and France-based Ben Tameifuna are two of the senior players in the squad who were present at the camp. Around 400 RSE workers in the Bay of Plenty area will compete at the second annual RSE Sports Festival in Mount Manganui on 23 August. Led by the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union, with support from BOP Volleyball and BOP Football, the day is a collaboration between the kiwifruit industry and the local sporting groups to provide a day off the tools for hard working RSE workers. Bay of Plenty Rugby manager Ati Aaifou-Olive said the RSE Sports Festival is a new way in which the sport can give RSE workers a positive experience while in New Zealand. In 2024, 11 packhouses entered 39 teams, featuring 350 RSE workers from Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu and Tonga at the event.
1News
12-07-2025
- Sport
- 1News
What to know as the All Blacks take on France in Wellington
Scott Robertson's All Blacks will take on France again tonight in the capital in the second Test match. Here's everything you need to know ahead of kick-off: All Blacks v France Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 12 July Where: Sky Stadium, Wellington It's fair to say last weekend's first Test was a unique one, because it's not often the All Blacks fail to rack up a predicted scoreline and the reaction being one of mostly acceptance. The main takeaway was the bravery of the French effort and the proving of the depth their domestic competition has, which was appreciated by the public and sets up an interesting return match. ADVERTISEMENT The All Blacks had three tries disallowed by the TMO last weekend, so sharpening up their finishing and making sure the attack is clicking has been the priority. Meanwhile, it's hard to get a read on the French selection but it's likely their gameplan won't deviate too much. Coach Scott Robertson (Source: Getty) Team lists All Blacks: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu, 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Tupou Vaa'i, 7. Ardie Savea, 8. Christian Lio‑Willie, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Rieko Ioane, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Emoni Narawa, 15. Will Jordan Bench: 16. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17. Ollie Norris, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Samipeni Finau, 20. Du'Plessis Kirifi, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Timoci Tavatavanawai, 23. Damian McKenzie France: 1. Baptiste Erdocio, 2. Gaetan Barlot (c), 3. Georges-Henri Colombe, 4. Joshua Brennan, 5. Matthias Halagahu, 6. Pierre Bochaton, 7. Jacobus Van Tonder, 8. Esteban Abadie, 9. Nolann Le Garrec, 10. Joris Segonds, 11. Emilien Gailleton, 12. Pierre-Louis Barassi, 13. Nicolas Depoortere, 14. Theo Attissogbe, 15. Leo Barré Bench: 16. Pierre Bourgarit, 17. Paul Mallez, 18. Regis Montagne, 19. Romain Taofifenua, 20. Cameron Woki, 21. Bastien Vergnes Taillefer, 22. Thilbault Daubagna, 23. Antoine Hastoy ADVERTISEMENT All Blacks selections Chiefs wing Emoni Narawa makes a break against the Brumbies during his team's semifinal win. (Source: Photosport) Three changes to the All Blacks and two are injury enforced, with Patrick Tuipulotu coming in for the injured Scott Barrett at lock. Caleb Clarke was originally named to replace Sevu Reece on the wing and then he got injured too, so Emoni Narawa gets a well-deserved chance. Timoci Tavatavanawai replaces Quinn Tupaea on the bench for his debut match. French selections Cameron Woki of France (Source: Getty) It's probably easier to focus on who France have left in rather than out, with the impressive Nolann Le Garrec and Joris Segonds retaining their spots in the inside backs. Emilien Gailleton and Theo Attissogbe, who were so dangerous last weekend, move to the wings and the experience on the bench is provided once against by Cameron Woki and Romain Taofifenua. Key stats ADVERTISEMENT The All Blacks only conceded three penalties and won all 20 of their lineouts last weekend. Wellington is the only NZ city France have not beaten the All Blacks in, recording victories in Dunedin (2009), Christchurch (1994) and Auckland (1979 and 1994). Beauden Barrett has 74 more Test caps than the entire French starting lineup. What they're saying "Play fast, think fast and adapt fast. We've got the skill set to do it… if the wind suddenly comes in off the Strait, we'll adapt and play to the wind in the rain as well. But our intention is to use our skills as much as we can." - All Blacks coach Scott Robertson. "It's a rotation for stimulation, competition. We brought the players to the end of the world. They have to play. We absolutely wanted to play them as quickly as possible." France coach Fabien Galthié. The last time they met ADVERTISEMENT All Blacks 31 - 27 France It's fair to say that while the margin was close, the All Blacks had done enough to win this game with about 20 minutes to go. The defensive confidence at the very end was very telling, as they pretty much dared the French to try something new on attack, knowing that they'd figured out everything else. What's going to happen A lot of kicking, that's for sure. Le Garrec and Segonds were excellent last weekend at keeping the ball in the All Blacks' half, at least for a while, and with all the changes made they won't be trying anything more adventurous than that. Meanwhile, the All Blacks' commitment to a two-option attacking set up will likely continue, with the simple movement of players in between each an attempt to force the defence to bite in and create space. The weather may well be the deciding factor in how many points are scored, though. While it hasn't been windy in Wellington, it has been wet and this will likely play a big role if it rains throughout the match,
France 24
11-07-2025
- Sport
- France 24
Clarke out for All Blacks against France as Narawa called up
In a statement, the All Blacks said Clarke was injured during Thursday's training run, ruling him out of Saturday's match in Wellington. He will miss the rest of the July series. Waikato Chiefs winger Emoni Narawa was initially named in the All Blacks squad as injury cover, and will come into the starting side on the right wing. Rieko Ioane will move to the left, where he played in the 31-27 win in Dunedin. The late shift comes as captain Scott Barrett and wing Sevu Reece also sit out through injury. Stand-in skipper Ardie Savea, speaking at the end of a rain-soaked captain's run at Sky Stadium, said Clarke's injury was "really unfortunate". "He'd been training well all week, and (it was) just a freak accident. "(Narawa) just stepped in and he's flawlessly doing his job. When you're in the All Blacks, if someone goes down, you have to be ready to step up." It wasn't a vintage All Blacks performance a week ago in Dunedin, with Scott Robertson's team struggling to dominate against a France team with 20 debutants in the 42-man squad. 'More clinical' New Zealand did have three tries disallowed, but errors or ill discipline put paid to their efforts. "I think we've just got to be more clinical and play in the right areas of the field," Savea said of Saturday's second fixture. "Credit to the French, last week they put us under pressure and they stayed with us, so we've got to be clinical in the right areas of the field and finish." France made 10 changes to the starting side for the second Test, and expectation is high that in wet and windy conditions they could cause a major headache for the hosts. "We've learned that any team that the All Blacks play, they turn up, play their best footy," Savea said. "We saw that with the French last week. For us it doesn't matter who we play, we've just got to turn up because we know they're going to be great on the weekend." Back in France, All Blacks legend Ma'a Nonu had signed a new one-year contract with Toulon to continue playing until the age of 44. Savea followed the same pathway to the All Blacks as Nonu, starting with Rongotai College in Wellington before moving to club rugby, Wellington's provincial team, and then the Hurricanes in Super Rugby. "He's a community man and when he came around to the club rooms when I was a little kid, he gave everyone a whole buzz," Savea said. "For him to still be playing, mate, someone needs to study him. He's been massive and huge. He was our light in our community to go all the way and be a great All Black, so yeah, huge inspiration. Still my idol to this day." Would Savea follow Nonu's footsteps further, and still be playing in 2038, at age 44. © 2025 AFP
RNZ News
11-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
All Blacks winger Caleb Clarke ruled out of second France test with injury
Caleb Clarke on the charge for the All Blacks. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ All Blacks winger Caleb Clarke has been ruled out of this weekend's second test against France in Wellington with a high ankle injury. He suffered the injury during Thursday's training run. Clarke is having scans to establish the extent of the injury and his likely return to play, however he has been ruled out of the remainder of three-test series against France. Emoni Narawa will start in Wellington for the All Blacks. Photo: Aaron Gillions / The final test is next weekend in Hamilton. The All Blacks lead the series 1-0 following their 31-27 win in the first match in Dunedin. Clarke has been replaced in Saturday's matchday 23 by Emoni Narawa. Narawa, who was initially named in the squad as injury cover, comes onto the right wing, with Rieko Ioane, originally picked in the No.14 jersey, switching back to the left wing, where he started in last weekend's win in Dunedin. It's disappointing for Clarke, who missed selection in the opening test against France and was looking to cement himself in the All Blacks starting side after a tough Super Rugby season for the Blues, in which he failed to score a try. Saturday's test between the All Blacks and France is part of a double header in Wellington which kicks off with the O'Reilly Cup clash between the Black Ferns and Wallaroos.
Reuters
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
New Zealand winger Clarke to miss rest of France series
July 11 (Reuters) - All Blacks winger Caleb Clarke has been withdrawn from the second test against France in Wellington on Saturday and will also miss the third and final match after sustaining a high ankle injury during training on Thursday. Clarke, who had replaced the concussed Sevu Reece in the starting 15, is having scans to establish the extent of the injury and his recovery time, New Zealand Rugby said in a media release on Friday. Emoni Narawa, who was named in the squad as injury cover, will start on the right wing in Wellington while Rieko Ioane shifts to the left. The All Blacks edged a depleted France 31-27 in the opener in Dunedin and will look to seal the series in Wellington. Team: 15–Will Jordan, 14–Emoni Narawa, 13–Billy Proctor, 12–Jordie Barrett, 11–Rieko Ioane, 10–Beauden Barrett, 9–Cam Roigard, 8–Christian Lio-Willie, 7–Ardie Savea, 6–Tupou Vaa'i, 5–Fabian Holland, 4–Patrick Tuipulotu, 3–Fletcher Newell, 2–Codie Taylor, 1–Ethan de Groot Replacements: 16–Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17–Ollie Norris, 18–Pasilio Tosi, 19–Samipeni Finau, 20–Du'Plessis Kirifi, 21–Cortez Ratima, 22–Timoci Tavatavanawai, 23–Damian McKenzie
