Latest news with #FijiRugbyUnion
Sydney Morning Herald
03-07-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Nail in the coffin': Pacific rugby leaders raise alarm about NRL's PNG deal
The Drua say their games are watched by half Fiji's population of 900,000, but the money flowing toward rugby union from Australia pales in comparison to what has been pledged for the government-financed Pacific rugby league soft diplomacy strategy. The Fiji Rugby Union last month signed a memorandum of understanding with the Chinese Rugby Football Association and Tonga Rugby Union also has a partnership in the works with China, which funded the Polynesian kingdom's new $40 million national sports complex. In Samoa, meanwhile, China has offered to build a new national stadium. Tonga Rugby Union chief Aisea Aholelei said he would like to have seen more consultation from Australia on the impact of the government underwriting rugby league expansion. 'You just tell them that there is money involved and it's not hard for the players here or parents here to go to rugby league,' he said. 'It's a small place, and Australia government funded money, it would be good that it has a lot of mileage through organisations, sports bodies and the population, not just for the benefit of rugby league. 'It would be nice to have it on equal par with the funding to rugby league. What I would like [the Australian government] to consider is rugby union has been the national game for a long time in Tonga, Fiji and Samoa ... to have a consideration how much impact it has had in the past and what impact it will have in the future, especially the near future of the 2027 World Cup [in Australia].' In Samoa, rugby union is 'still the sport that determines the mood of the nation', according to Seumanu Douglas Ngau Chun, who heads the 15-a-side game there. But he said it would not be able to compete with the deep pockets the Australian government has given rugby league in the Pacific. 'Samoa only has a population of 200,000 people, with a limited private sector. Seeing that kind of investment going to league it concerns us. That means it might be a nail in the coffin for rugby here in the Pacific, especially for Samoa. As a struggling nation we are concerned,' the Samoa Rugby Union CEO said. 'We're tired of sending our elite players overseas to end up playing for the All Blacks and for other countries. With this kind of proposal that we're making to Australia, this will benefit our people to remain on island. But we'd also have access to top-quality assistance from Australian rugby.' The three island nations have drawn up a proposal for funding be boosted to a level where they could draw closer to Australia and New Zealand in international rugby union, as well as to enable Tonga and Samoa to push for their own Super Rugby franchises rather than see more players enticed to play for overseas teams. It is understood they will put forward a proposal for $150 million in assistance from the Australian government. Sewabu cited Fiji rugby union's tour of 1952 which drew large crowds and helped lift the Australian game up from financial troubles and fierce competition from rugby league. 'Our two countries have been rugby partners since 1952, when Fiji's visit helped keep rugby union alive in Australia,' he said. 'Today we face a new crossroads and can again work together for the good of Pacific rugby.' He said he hoped Australia could return the favour to 'protect the game we love that has so much historical, cultural and social significance to our people and our country'. An Australian government spokesperson said it already partnered with Rugby Australia and Oceania Rugby including with financial support in what was 'a great example of the power of sports diplomacy in bringing the Pacific family, of which Australia is a part, closer together'. 'Rugby union is something we have in common with our fellow Pacific family members. We share a rich history, whether it be through Tonga's iconic victory over the Wallabies in 1973 or through former World Cup-winning Wallaby Toutai Kefu, whose father Fatai played in the 1973 Tonga team. Again, this weekend, those ties will be strengthened further when the Wallabies and Fiji compete for the inaugural Vuvale Bowl. 'Australia is a proud member of the Pacific family. Australia continues to be the Pacific's largest development partner, and security partner of choice. The Pacific is best served by Pacific-led institutions and processes.' Loaded with NRL players, the Tongan and Samoan national rugby league teams have made great strides in the past decade, with Tonga recording historic wins against Australia and New Zealand and Samoa shocking England to reach the Rugby League World Cup final in 2022. About 50 per cent of NRL players now are from a Pasifika background. Rugby union, however, retains a firm link to the Pacific nations' cultural identities and power bases. Rabuka himself is former international for the Flying Fijians, the country's national rugby union team, and Tongan rugby's president is the country's prime minister, 'Aisake Valu Eke. The chairman of the Samoa Rugby Union is Tuilaʻepa Saʻilele Malielegaoi, the long-serving former prime minister bidding to reclaim the top job at an election on August 29. The Australian reported that one of Fiji's three deputy prime ministers, Manoa Kamikamica, told a forum at the Perth Sevens rugby union tournament in January that the NRL's government-funded Pacific handout was 'the biggest threat our sport has ever faced'. Rabuka, speaking at the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday, was more phlegmatic, pointing to the potential benefits of Fijian players being paid more. 'We are concerned that they might be pulling some of our people away,' he said. 'It may affect rugby union, but I don't think very much. But it could help the economy.' Loading Albanese, a fan of NRL team the South Sydney Rabbitohs, has used rugby league as a tool to safeguard Australia's national security interests in PNG in particular as Beijing seeks to expand its influence. But as cash-strapped Pacific rugby unions confront the prospect of state-sponsored rugby league, it has left a gap for China to step into the breach. 'We need to expand our horizons and see who is willing to help us,' said Tongan rugby chief Aholelei, who toured Chinese cities in June to explore commercial, player pathway and coaching ties. 'That's the reason we embarked on the tour of China. Kindly, the Chinese government helped us to partake. It was very insightful and thee's a lot of help there for us ... we're really optimistic about that impending partnership with China.' Douglas said Samoan rugby was also exploring an MOU with China after being approached by officials from Beijing's embassy in Apia.
The Age
03-07-2025
- Business
- The Age
‘Nail in the coffin': Pacific rugby leaders raise alarm about NRL's PNG deal
The Drua say their games are watched by half Fiji's population of 900,000, but the money flowing toward rugby union from Australia pales in comparison to what has been pledged for the government-financed Pacific rugby league soft diplomacy strategy. The Fiji Rugby Union last month signed a memorandum of understanding with the Chinese Rugby Football Association and Tonga Rugby Union also has a partnership in the works with China, which funded the Polynesian kingdom's new $40 million national sports complex. In Samoa, meanwhile, China has offered to build a new national stadium. Tonga Rugby Union chief Aisea Aholelei said he would like to have seen more consultation from Australia on the impact of the government underwriting rugby league expansion. 'You just tell them that there is money involved and it's not hard for the players here or parents here to go to rugby league,' he said. 'It's a small place, and Australia government funded money, it would be good that it has a lot of mileage through organisations, sports bodies and the population, not just for the benefit of rugby league. 'It would be nice to have it on equal par with the funding to rugby league. What I would like [the Australian government] to consider is rugby union has been the national game for a long time in Tonga, Fiji and Samoa ... to have a consideration how much impact it has had in the past and what impact it will have in the future, especially the near future of the 2027 World Cup [in Australia].' In Samoa, rugby union is 'still the sport that determines the mood of the nation', according to Seumanu Douglas Ngau Chun, who heads the 15-a-side game there. But he said it would not be able to compete with the deep pockets the Australian government has given rugby league in the Pacific. 'Samoa only has a population of 200,000 people, with a limited private sector. Seeing that kind of investment going to league it concerns us. That means it might be a nail in the coffin for rugby here in the Pacific, especially for Samoa. As a struggling nation we are concerned,' the Samoa Rugby Union CEO said. 'We're tired of sending our elite players overseas to end up playing for the All Blacks and for other countries. With this kind of proposal that we're making to Australia, this will benefit our people to remain on island. But we'd also have access to top-quality assistance from Australian rugby.' The three island nations have drawn up a proposal for funding be boosted to a level where they could draw closer to Australia and New Zealand in international rugby union, as well as to enable Tonga and Samoa to push for their own Super Rugby franchises rather than see more players enticed to play for overseas teams. It is understood they will put forward a proposal for $150 million in assistance from the Australian government. Sewabu cited Fiji rugby union's tour of 1952 which drew large crowds and helped lift the Australian game up from financial troubles and fierce competition from rugby league. 'Our two countries have been rugby partners since 1952, when Fiji's visit helped keep rugby union alive in Australia,' he said. 'Today we face a new crossroads and can again work together for the good of Pacific rugby.' He said he hoped Australia could return the favour to 'protect the game we love that has so much historical, cultural and social significance to our people and our country'. An Australian government spokesperson said it already partnered with Rugby Australia and Oceania Rugby including with financial support in what was 'a great example of the power of sports diplomacy in bringing the Pacific family, of which Australia is a part, closer together'. 'Rugby union is something we have in common with our fellow Pacific family members. We share a rich history, whether it be through Tonga's iconic victory over the Wallabies in 1973 or through former World Cup-winning Wallaby Toutai Kefu, whose father Fatai played in the 1973 Tonga team. Again, this weekend, those ties will be strengthened further when the Wallabies and Fiji compete for the inaugural Vuvale Bowl. 'Australia is a proud member of the Pacific family. Australia continues to be the Pacific's largest development partner, and security partner of choice. The Pacific is best served by Pacific-led institutions and processes.' Loaded with NRL players, the Tongan and Samoan national rugby league teams have made great strides in the past decade, with Tonga recording historic wins against Australia and New Zealand and Samoa shocking England to reach the Rugby League World Cup final in 2022. About 50 per cent of NRL players now are from a Pasifika background. Rugby union, however, retains a firm link to the Pacific nations' cultural identities and power bases. Rabuka himself is former international for the Flying Fijians, the country's national rugby union team, and Tongan rugby's president is the country's prime minister, 'Aisake Valu Eke. The chairman of the Samoa Rugby Union is Tuilaʻepa Saʻilele Malielegaoi, the long-serving former prime minister bidding to reclaim the top job at an election on August 29. The Australian reported that one of Fiji's three deputy prime ministers, Manoa Kamikamica, told a forum at the Perth Sevens rugby union tournament in January that the NRL's government-funded Pacific handout was 'the biggest threat our sport has ever faced'. Rabuka, speaking at the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday, was more phlegmatic, pointing to the potential benefits of Fijian players being paid more. 'We are concerned that they might be pulling some of our people away,' he said. 'It may affect rugby union, but I don't think very much. But it could help the economy.' Loading Albanese, a fan of NRL team the South Sydney Rabbitohs, has used rugby league as a tool to safeguard Australia's national security interests in PNG in particular as Beijing seeks to expand its influence. But as cash-strapped Pacific rugby unions confront the prospect of state-sponsored rugby league, it has left a gap for China to step into the breach. 'We need to expand our horizons and see who is willing to help us,' said Tongan rugby chief Aholelei, who toured Chinese cities in June to explore commercial, player pathway and coaching ties. 'That's the reason we embarked on the tour of China. Kindly, the Chinese government helped us to partake. It was very insightful and thee's a lot of help there for us ... we're really optimistic about that impending partnership with China.' Douglas said Samoan rugby was also exploring an MOU with China after being approached by officials from Beijing's embassy in Apia.
RNZ News
26-06-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Pasifika Sipoti in brief for 26 June
Photo: AFP Two players of Pasifika heritage have been named in the French squad to face the All Blacks in three test matches in New Zealand next month. Fijian native Alivereti Duguivalu, son of former Fijian centre Esala Nauga, is amongst a number of new faces France coach Fabien Galthié has named in his 37-man squad. Romain Taofifenua is of Wallisian heritage, with his father, Willy Taofifenua, being one of the first players from Wallis and Futuna to play professional rugby in France. France have named an inexperienced squad for the upcoming test series against the All Blacks in Dunedin, Wellington and Hamilton. The Flying Fijians are heading into camp in Nadi this weekend, in preparation for their two test matches in July. First up will be the test against the Wallabies in Newcastle, Sydney on 6 July. They then face Scotland in Suva on 12 July. The Fiji Rugby Union said overseas-based players have started arriving in Nadi, with the squad scheduled to move to Sydney at the weekend. Meanwhile, prop Luke Tagi has been ruled out of the upcoming test season due to an ankle injury sustained while playing for his Top 14 club, Bayonne, in France. He will be replaced by Fijian Drua prop Samu Tawake. The Cook Islands under-16 boys beach handball team has qualified for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games. Cook Island News reported the team competed at the 3rd IHF Men's Youth Beach Handball World Championship in Tunisia last week, where they finished 15th out of 16 teams. Makiroa Mitchell-John, president of Handball Cook Islands and secretary-general of the Oceania Continent Handball Federation, said the achievement is remarkable as all the players are "100 per cent homegrown". The 4th Summer Youth Olympic Games will take place in Dakar, Senegal, in late 2026. Team Palau will have some teenagers representing them at the upcoming Pacific Mini Games, which will officially open in Koror on Sunday. The Island Times reported 15-year-old, Craven Ngirchomlei will compete in the men's 800-metre and 1500-metre races. Another 15-year-old, Reese Polycarp, is among the youngest on the women's indoor volleyball team. Tonga is sending 33 athletes to the Palau Pacific Mini Games from 29 June to 9 July. The Tonga Sports Association and National Olympic Committee has confirmed Tonga will compete in archery, athletics, basketball, beach volleyball, table tennis, swimming and weightlifting. The archery team is already on its way to Palau, led by coach Hans Jensen. The remainder of team Tonga is scheduled to arrive in time for the opening ceremony on 29 June. Moana Pasifika rookie of the year for 2025, Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, will stay with the side for 2026 and 2027. The North Harbour-based franchise said the 21-year-old loose forward stamped his mark when he became a replacement player and forced his way into a regular place in the starting lineup. Moana Pasifika head coach Fa'alogo Tana Umaga said Ta'eiloa is a rare talent who has shown amazing ambition and tenacity to get to where he is now.
RNZ News
24-06-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
New All Black came from Fiji with a dream
Timoci Tavatavanawai with young Fijian fan Seilala Mapusua Nabalagi at the Forsyth Barr Stadium after a Super Rugby Pacific clash this year. Photo: Supplied Fiji-born Timoci Tavatavanawai has been named in the All Blacks following consistent performances in this year's Super Rugby Pacific competition. The leader of the Fijian community in Dunedin, Eric Nabalagi and Fiji Rugby Union board chairman John Sanday said Tavatavanawai has proven himself and deserves his inclusion. Tavatanawai is one of five new players in the squad named by head coach Scot Robertson. The others are Chiefs' hooker Brodie McAlister, Chiefs prop Ollie Norris, Highlanders lock Fabian Holland and Hurricanes loosie Du'Plessis Kirifi. Also named as an injury-cover is Crusaders number eight Christian Lio-Willie. Both Kirifi and Lio-Willie are of Samoan heritage. In a statement to RNZ Pacific yesterday, former Flying Fijian Sanday said Tavatavanawai has achieved his dream. "Well done and congratulations to Timoci Tavatavanawai on reaching the pinnacle of his rugby dream by becoming an All Black," Sanday said. "All the very best." Timoci Tavatavanawai (left) with the Fijian community in Dunedin earlier this year. Fijian community leader Eric Nabalagi is on the right (black tee shirt). Photo: Supplied Otago University staffer and the Fijian community leader down south, Nabalagi said Tavatavanawai (known as "Jim") was the name he wanted to hear during Monday's All Blacks announcement . "I am very proud and excited for Jim. He had a great season," Nabalagi said. "Jim brought that Bula Flying Fijian flavour into this year's Super Rugby competition that everyone gravitates to." He said Tavatavanawai can kick, can carry, can tackle and jackle - steal the ball from a tackled player at the breakdown - at the same time. "He does it with gracefulness, with no arrogance all the time. He is a game changer and who wouldn't want him in their team?" Nabalagi said the community members celebrated Tavatavanawai's achievement, adding the player is loved "because he is so friendly, and a very down-to-earth guy when you meet him in the community". Tavatavanawai claimed the Highlanders fans' player of the year award this year. Timoci Tavatavanawai. Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2025 Nabalagi said it would be interesting to see if Robertson will give him game time against the French in Dunedin in their first test on 5 July. "I reckon he will be one that draws the crowd next Saturday against the French," Nabalagi said. "I am sure every talanoa (story) in town, supermarkets and even every grog (kava) session will be about the 'jackler'. "I am just so happy for his mum and his family, team-mates and not forgetting all those who were part of his journey. Here at Otago - we say 'when one graduate, the whole village graduates'." Nabalagi said Tavatavanawai's achievement is an example "for young Fijians playing rugby in New Zealand, that great 'character' on and off the field can take you to higher places". Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne had wanted Tavatavanawai for Fiji national duties but the former Queen Victoria School student from the Tailevu-based all-boys college in Fiji had indicated he was keen to chase his All Black dream. The player said he was over the moon, with his selection still sinking in, adding that all the sacrifice made over the years has paid off. "It means everything," he told the media after the squad annoucement. "I left [home] when I was 16. My brother and sister were about 13 and I've missed a crucial part of their growing up. All that sacrifice comes up to this moment, so it's pretty special." Tavatavanawai thanked his late dad, his mum and family for their support. He said the first step of making it into the squad is exciting. "I was doing some gardening at home and I saw the missed call from Razor [Robertson]," he said. All Black debutants from left: Du'Plessis Kirifi, Fabian Holland, Timoci Tavatavanawai. Photo:"Just called him straight away and he told me the news. "It means a lot for me and my family, especially coming over from Fiji with a dream and goal that my old man set for myself, and to know he is watching from above is just awesome." He said he had to learn the tricks of playing inside centre during the season under Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph, and believes that will be a big plus for him as he begins his All Blacks career, with the opportunity to play both inside or out on the flanks as a winger. "At the start it was hard trying to know the skills around it, especially coming from the coaches that I will be playing wing and the next minute you're playing 12," he said. "You just go along as long as you are on the field playing and performing." Tavatavanawai joins fellow Fiji-heritage wingers Sevu Reece and Emoni Narawa in the squad, - all three former students of QVS in Fiji. Tavatavanawai and Narawa were also at QVS at the same time, before they both left for New Zealand. Coach Robertson said it's always a challenge to pick the best players in the country. "You look through the whole season; you look for reliability, the ability to keep turning up, their skill sets under pressure, how they complement the group," he said. "It's a hell of a team." All Black debutants (L-R) Du'Plessis Kirifi, Fabian Holland and Timoci Tavatavanawai talk with media during the New Zealand All Blacks 2025 Squad Announcement at Coastal Rugby Club. Photo:On the new players he said it is a particularly special day for them. "These players have all impressed us with their talent and work ethic and have earned their opportunity to be part of this All Blacks squad," he told the media. "We know that each of these players possesses the ability to make their mark in the black jersey and we look forward to working with them over the coming weeks." Kirifi, who joins former Hurricanes captain Ardie Savea in the squad, said he was contemplating leaving for overseas opportunities at the beginning of the year but wanted to stay to complete unfinished business. "I guess I had a big decision to make at the start of the season about whether I was going to stay in New Zealand or head overseas, and part of that decision was around fulfillment and unanswered questions," Kirifi revealed after the announcement. "My partner, myself and my family felt like I hadn't really given it my all yet and I would be leaving with some questions unanswered. Du Plessis Kirifi of the Hurricanes. Photo: Elias Rodriguez / "We know we made the right decision to stay, and obviously part of that was to become an All Black, and to do so, I had to fully commit. "Whether or not it happened, we just hope that I would just continue to grow as a young man and as a rugby player. So today's a pretty special moment for me and my family, on the back of all of that." Kirifi said his family were overjoyed with a lot of tears shed when the announcement was made, something he believes the other new players also went through. "Just extremely happy for me and the rest of us. We've got all amazing friends and families and the people who have supported us along the way," he added. His new All Black mate Tavatavanawai said Kirifi has been an outstanding player during the Super Rugby Pacific season. "Watching him lead the Hurricanes this year showed how much he has been working and he has been rewarded." The All Blacks squad will assemble in Auckland on 25 June to begin preparations for the first test against France on 5 July in Dunedin. That will be followed with tests in Wellington and Hamilton the following weekends.
RNZ News
04-06-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
"Celebration and reflection"
Waisea Nayacalevu of Fiji leads his teammates as players of of Fiji perform the Cibi prior to the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between Australia and Fiji at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on September 17, 2023 in Saint-Etienne, France. Photo: World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images The former Flying Fijians captain, Waisea Nayacalevu, has announced his retirement from test rugby. Nayacalevu, 33, made the announcement through the Fiji Rugby Union in Suva on Wednesday. He made his international debut in 2012 and went on to earn 43 caps for the Flying Fijians, becoming a fan favorite for his powerful runs, defensive prowess, and inspirational leadership. He captained Fiji at the 2023 Rugby World Cup and Fiji famously beat Australia 22-15, the first time they had beaten the Wallabies in 15s for nearly 70 years. Nayacalevu was also involved in a spat with the union after he alleged corruption in the ranks. In a tell-all with the Daily Mail, he made claims including that the team almost boycotted the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarterfinal match against England because they weren't paid what was "promised" to them by the union. The union said it engaged the services of I. Naiveli & Co Chartered Accountants to conduct an investigation, and no players came forward with evidence of corruption. Waisea Nayacalevu of Fiji leads the Cibi during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between Wales and Fiji at Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux on September 10, 2023 in Bordeaux, France. Photo: World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images Before earning his test caps, Nayacalevu was also a key member of the Fiji sevens team. "Today is a day of both celebration and reflection - a day I never imagined would come so quickly when I first wore the white jersey of Fiji back in 2012," he said. "After more than a decade representing my country, my family, and myself on the rugby field, I stand before you to announce my retirement from international rugby. "This is not an easy decision - because rugby has been more than just a game to me. It's been my passion, my purpose, and my teacher. "It has taken me around the world, allowed me to form lifelong bonds, and given me the honor of standing shoulder to shoulder with warriors who bleed for this nation." Nayacalevu thanked his team-mates, saying they had "become my brothers". "We've shared sweat, pain, joy, and glory together. I'll carry those memories forever. "To the coaches and staff who believed in me and helped shape me into the player and man I am today - vinaka vakalevu." Waisea Nayacalevu of Fiji celebrates after he dives in to score a try against Wales Photo: PHOTOSPORT Nayacalevu said he owed a lot to his family, and also paid tribute to the fans. "To the people of Fiji - thank you for your endless love. Whether it was a roar from the crowd at home, a flag in the stands overseas, or a quiet word of encouragement - I felt your pride every time I stepped onto the field." FRU Board chairman John Sanday, said Nayacalevu was a true Fiji rugby ambassador "on and off the field". "His dedication, skill, and leadership have inspired countless young players across the nation," Sanday, a former Flying Fijian himself, said. "While we will miss seeing him in the white jersey, his legacy will live on." Flying Fijians head coach, Mick Byrne, also acknowledged Nayacalevu. "Waisea has been an inspirational captain for many years. Leading them through a successful 2023 [Rugby World Cup]," Byrne said. "It was a pleasure to work with Waisea over the past season. He was very supportive and a strong voice for the players." Nayacalevu will continue playing club rugby in France for Nice. He is expected to play in France's third tier, Pro D2, having played previosuly for Ospreys in Wales, plus Stade Français and Toulon in France.
