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RNZ News
a day ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Fijiana coach: 'Positive growth overall' ahead of Women's Rugby World Cup
The Fijiana XV held off a spirited Samoan fightback to retain their Oceania Rugby Women's Challenge title with a hard-fought 24-20 victory. 14 June 2025 Photo: Facebook / Fiji Rugby Fijiana head coach Ioan Cunningham believes he has a strong squad that can put Fiji on the world rugby map at the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup in England. Cunnigham has been with the squad for the last five months since his apppointment in February. In that time, he has seen the team take on the Wallaroos in a one-off test match, defend their Oceania Women's Rugby Championship title against both Samoa and Tonga, and take the ninth ranked American Eagles women's side to the wire in a close loss. Cunnigham, who has stints with the Welsh national women's team as head coach from 2021 to 2024, has introduced systems aimed at strengthening the Fijiana flair and style, while able to compete against the top teams in set-pieces and open play. In an interview with RNZ Pacific, Cunnigham said the team made progress through all commitments they have been involved in this year. "We've, firstly, connected well as a group and starting to really understand how we want to play and how we how win Test matches," he said while reviewing the team's performance do date. "That's still a development within our group. But we made good progress coming off the Wallaroos test back in May, into the Oceania and the tough test we had in USA. "It was exactly what we needed to see where we are against a top 10 team in the world rankings as we progress towards the World Cup. So, I think it's positive growth overall, but still a lot of work to do." Vodafone Fijiana coach Ioan Cunnigham Photo: Facebook / Fiji Rugby Cunnigham had the opportunity to work with players who have been in the mix now for their second World Cup, and others who have had some experience with the Fijian Drua women's team in the Super Rugby Pacific Women's competition. There are players who have also been recruited from the Fijiana Sevens team that has been playing in the annual HSBC Sevens Series. He said the players were all talented and have their own individual skills that helps make the team tick. "We've got an incredible group of athletes that can play the game very well, especially when opportunities open up," he stated. "We showed some of that against USA, that when we go forward and we can offload and win collisions, we can threaten anyone in the world,. But he said the key for Fijiana is getting the "balance right" and not overplaying. "Because if we turn the ball over against top sides, we get punished. It's really important that we get that balance right. "We've got some incredible athletes, which are powerful, fast, good skill set, and it's my role to try and allow them to express themselves within our structure, really, especially on a global stage in the World Cup." The squad is currently training in Fiji and going through the final pieces of their preparation. The players will have the opportunity to have "controlled" games against the Manusina side next week. The Samoan women's team is heading to Fiji for a final training camp before they also fly out to England. "We've got a great opportunity to have a sort of controlled game against Samoa, who come to Fiji for the training camp," Cunnigham said. "We'll have good preparation week in Nadi against against Samoa, before we all depart and head to England." Fijiana centre Josivini Naihamu tries to run away from the Wallaroos defence on Saturday. Photo: FRU Media The Fijians appeared at the 2022 Rugby World Cup and won against South Africa in their second pool game. They are in Pool B alongside Canada, Wales and Scotland at the 2025 event. Fiji will meet Canada in their opening game on August 24. Cunnigham reckons that will be their toughest game, being their first and against the second ranked team in World Rugby. "Obviously, Canada, first match is going to be a tough one," he said. "They're ranked second in the world at the moment and they are a very well coached team that has got a good mix in their play. "They can go through you with the ball carrying off a game, but they can also go around you with the pace they've got as well. So from our point of view, defensively, we've got to be at our best and also take our opportunities when we get them." He said both Scotland and Wales will offer different game patterns, expecting them to go to the air with a lot more high balls and tactical kicks for territory. "Probably the biggest difference there is, from what our players are used to with Super Rugby, is probably the kicking game," he said. "Scotland and Wales will kick a lot more, so, that presents opportunities for us to counter attack, but also we have to be really sharp and wary in our backfield, because they do kick well. "They probably value territory more of than possession, and that's something that we're going to have to adapt to fairly quickly." A good finish at the world cup, led by good performances, will be a positive for women's rugby in Fiji. It is something that is not lost on the squad, fully understanding the importance of putting up the best they can do. "Our task at the World Cup is to inspire the country, inspire the next generation of players who want to be Fijiana players of the future," he stated. "And we can do that with great performances on the field, and that's the responsibility we hold when we go to the World Cup. "The potential for women's rugby in Fiji is enormous, and I think in the future, we could really challenge the top teams in the world with the talent that's available." Samoa is in Pool A with England, Australia and USA. The Manusina will meet the Wallaroos in their opening game on 23 August.
RNZ News
21-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Fiji coach doubles down on claim NZ Rugby contracts restrict players from representing Pacific nations
Byrne claims he has spoken to some player agents who confirmed that there is an agreement players sign, and these are attached to their contracts. Photo: Fiji Rugby Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne has told RNZ Pacific that New Zealand-based players of Pacific Island heritage have signed letters of agreement attached to their contracts, which bar them from playing for teams other than the All Blacks. In an exclusive interview with RNZ Pacific, Byrne said that while New Zealand Rugby has publicly stated that players contracted to NZ-based Super Rugby clubs are free to choose which national team they want to represent, he has been told otherwise. This follows comments he made in June, stating that some players of Fijian heritage playing Super Rugby Pacific in New Zealand have been unable to play for Fiji because their contracts ban them from doing so. Byrne claims he has spoken to some player agents who confirmed that there is an agreement players sign, and these are attached to their contracts. "I know New Zealand Rugby came out and said they're not contracted; well to the letter of the law, they're probably not, but they have a letter attached to their contract that they signed that they can't play," Byrne said. "At the moment, I'm trying to chase down a couple of players. Since we spoke, a couple of the players have been taken into wider training squads, but there's still a couple of players there that I'd like to talk to, but we still need to get their approval. "I know New Zealand Rugby said I was wrong, but I've done some investigations and spoken with agents, and they've told me that the players actually signed a letter attached to their contract, and there's a little bit more to it. "I'd actually like to get some more details. I'm investigating and trying to find out exactly where we're at." NZ Rugby Photo: Photosport However, he said there is light at the end of the tunnel, as there is a process that can be followed to get players released from their current arrangements while still honouring their player contracts. "But my understanding is I can't just say if a player wants to play for Fiji. I can't just sign him and get him to play. "I have to go through a process to get him cleared to be released from current letter of arrangement that New Zealand Rugby have with these players." Last month, a New Zealand Rugby spokesperson told RNZ Pacific that, while the they could not comment on individual players, the union was clear on what it can do, including offering contracts to up to three players who may not opt to play for New Zealand. Responding to Byrne's claims, New Zealand Rugby maintained that players have the freedom to choose which national union pathway they wish to pursue and that is declared at the time they sign their contracts. "NZR's five Super Rugby Pacific clubs have the ability to contract up to three 'non-NZ eligible players' who have already played internationally (including for Pacific Island nations Samoa, Tonga or Fiji) or who have declared their intent to play internationally for a non-NZ national team at international level and therefore not make themselves eligible for NZ national teams. "All other players contracted to NZR's five Super Rugby clubs have declared their availability and intention to represent NZ national teams over the duration of their contract." Byrne is interested to discuss options with Blues' Hoskins Sotutu, Crusaders' George Bower and Highlanders pair Jona Nareki and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens. Former All Black Sotutu will be eligible to play for Fiji this year and is also eligible for England through his mother. Bower, who was also going to be eligible to play for Fiji this year, has since been recalled into the All Blacks by head coach Scot Robertson, and is named on the bench for Saturday's third Test against France in Hamilton. Both Nareki and Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens are currently contracted to the Highlanders and have both indicated their willingness to play for Fiji. Byrne said he will continue to pursue the issue and hopes to have some positive news soon. With the 2027 Rugby World Cup in 24 months, the Fiji head coach is hopeful he will be able to use some of the New Zealand-based players during the 2026 build-up campaign.
Daily Mail
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Townsend rues indiscipline as Scotland suffer costly tour defeat against Fiji
GREGOR TOWNSEND admitted Scotland had been the creators of their own downfall as they slumped to a potentially costly 29-14 defeat to Fiji in Suva. The tourists scored early in each half through Kyle Rowe and Tom Jordan but beyond that were second-best for the rest of the contest as their hosts dominated. The Scottish cause wasn't helped by poor discipline that saw Ewan Ashman sent to the sin-bin in the first half and Darcy Graham dismissed midway through the second period for a second yellow card offence that also led to a penalty try being awarded. The loss could be an expensive one as Scotland failed to land the world rankings points they craved as they look to claim a top seeding berth ahead of the World Cup draw later this year. And Townsend, who has now lost in Fiji three times as a player and coach, conceded his team could have no complaints about the outcome. He said: 'I think Fiji deserved to win. They had a lot of opportunities to put us under pressure in our 22. They were physical and obviously they're a quality team - and they also showed that last week [against Australia]. 'But we're disappointed in our own performance and that we gave them so many opportunities to put pressure on us. The penalty count was too high [15 overall], with three yellow cards. That makes it very tough to win any Test match. Up against a quality side at home, it's going to be really difficult. 'That'll be the biggest area of improvement for us - making sure we don't let a team like Fiji and Samoa get chances in our 22 because we've given away a penalty for whatever reason.' Townsend, though, felt Graham had been harshly treated with his two yellow cards. The first was for making a tackle on Sireli Maqala before the Fijian had the ball in his possession, while the second was for intercepting a pass from an offside position. Townsend believes the winger won't be suspended for Friday's match against Samoa back in New Zealand, although a dislocated finger might rule Graham out regardless. He added: 'I'd have to look at it again but at the time I thought they [the yellow cards] were very harsh. I'm not sure if the first one was going to hand anyway. But the referee makes his calls, and as soon as he's made the call in that area, you know it's going to be a yellow card, a potential penalty try. 'I think the game is a compact game and players are body-to-body a lot in the game. I don't know how we can then make that one an incident that's a yellow card. 'But the referee has to make these calls. I don't want the focus to be on the referee. It's got to be how we can change things and make sure that our discipline, which has been really good in recent games, stays under 10 penalties and there's no yellow cards.' Scotland are also sweating on the fitness of Jamie Ritchie, who went off during the first half with a foot knock, and Matt Fagerson who suffered a cut eye and also injured the same ankle that kept him sidelined for the last few months of the season. Both will be assessed by the medical team in the coming days. Captain Rory Darge added: 'We were all looking forward to playing Fiji as it's a unique experience and it was the first time for a lot of us here. We knew the challenge we were going into as they are a quality side. I'm sure there will be a lot of things that come up in review that we could have done much better.'
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Scotland must be 'much better' after humbling Fiji defeat
Scotland captain Rory Darge says the side will have to put in a "much better" performance than what they showed in Fiji for next weekend's Test match against Samoa. Despite scoring early in the first half, the Scots suffered a humbling 29-14 defeat in Suva. Advertisement The loss will cost the Scots world rankings points and likely push them out of the top six for December's World Cup draw, putting a dent in their hopes of getting a favourable draw. "We were all really looking forward to playing Fiji," Darge said. "It's a unique experience. It's the first time for a lot of us playing here. We knew the challenge we were going into and what a quality side Fiji are. "But I'm sure there'll be a lot of things in the review that we can control and do much better."
BBC News
12-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Scotland must be 'much better' after humbling Fiji defeat
Scotland captain Rory Darge says the side will have to put in a "much better" performance than what they showed in Fiji for next weekend's Test match against scoring early in the first half, the Scots suffered a humbling 29-14 defeat in Suva. The loss will cost the Scots world rankings points and likely push them out of the top six for December's World Cup draw, putting a dent in their hopes of getting a favourable draw. "We were all really looking forward to playing Fiji," Darge said. "It's a unique experience. It's the first time for a lot of us playing here. We knew the challenge we were going into and what a quality side Fiji are. "But I'm sure there'll be a lot of things in the review that we can control and do much better."
