Latest news with #Fijiana
RNZ News
16-06-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Fijiana retains Oceania Rugby title
The Fiji women's rugby team retained their Oceania Rugby Women's XV Challenge title with a hard-fought 24-20 victory against Samoa in Sigatoka on Saturday. The win came after Fijiana held on as Manusina mounted pressure in the second half. It was a match that proved to be a thriller in the end, with the hosts coming back into the game late to score a try and claim the win. Fijiana captain Alfreda Fisher expressed pride in her team's performance. "It's been an honor defending our title on home soil," she said. "A big vinaka vakalevu (thank you very much) to the girls. We now look forward to the USA match, which will be great preparation for the World Cup." The Fijians defeated both Pacific rivals - Tonga and Samoa - at the event. Their clash against the USA will be their final warm up to the 2025 Rugby World Cup in England. They are in Pool B with Canada, Scotland, Wales. Samoa are also in the World Cup, pooled with England, Australia and USA in Pool A, with matches scheduled between August 22 to September 27. Samoan captain Sui Pauaraisi praised her team's resilience, especially given the emotional challenges they faced: "I'm so proud of our girls," she said. "Every campaign, it's always been a different team-this time we had eight debutants, and they stepped up. We also played for our sisters who lost loved ones-Casey lost her mum, and another lost her dad. That's how connected this team is." A Fiji Rugby Union report stated that the Fijiana XV held off a spirited Samoan fightback to retain their crown. Hooker Bitila Tawake crashed over from a well-executed line-out maul just four minutes into the match, to give the locals a 5-0 lead. Fijiana's Michella Stolz was yellow-carded for an accidental head clash with Samoa's outside centre Drenna Falaniko, leaving Fiji with 14 players for 10 minutes. Despite being a player down, Fiji extended their lead in the 32nd minute when Ema Adivitaloga powered over after a line-out win near Samoa's posts. Luisa Tisolo added the extras, making it 12-5. Just before halftime, Fiji struck again-another stolen line-out allowed Stolz to break free before offloading to Adivitaloga, who completed her brace. Fiji led 17-5 at halftime. Samoa found momentum in the 49th minute when their inside center Faasua Makisi charged-down kick and passed to her outside center Drenna Falaniko to score their second try (17-10). Fresh legs in the Samoan scrum turned the tide, and in the 57th minute, replacement winger Linda Fiafia (jersey 22) showcased her speed and strength, breaking tackles to score in the corner (17-15). Fiji responded swiftly-Repeka Tove pounced on a loose ball from a Samoa scrum in their own 22, kicking ahead and grounding it for Fiji's fourth try. The conversion extended the lead to 24-15. But Samoa refused to surrender. Fiafia struck again in the 71st minute, burning down the wing to narrow the gap to 24-20. However, Fiji's resolute defence in the dying minutes secured their victory.
RNZ News
11-06-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Manusina beats Tonga and turns focus to Fiji
Photo: Oceania Rugby Samoa's women's national team, the Manusina, dominated their first game at the Oceania Women's Rugby Championship in Sigatoka, Fiji on Tuesday, with a big 64-14 win over Tonga. Captain Masuimatamaalii Tauasa Pauaraisa said after the game it was a good start, with seven new players making their debuts. Pauaraisa, the recipient of the Seiuli Fiao'o Fa'amausili Women's Player of the Year at the Pasifika Rugby Hall of Fame awards earlier this year, said their focus now shifts to Fiji. The two teams are set to play off for the winner's crown on Saturday. The Fijians defeated Tonga 59-15 last weekend, and meeting Samoa will confirm which of the two teams becomes the 2025 champion. The Fijiana are the defending champions. "So one down, and we have a lot of work leading up to the Fijiana game," Pauaraisa said. "We came over from Auckland and we got seven debutants and I'm so proud of them." Manusina led 33-0 at halftime. Photo: Oceania Rugby A former New Zealand Warriors player in the NRL-W, Pauaraisa told RNZ Pacific in an previous interview they are focused on using the Oceania meet as their warm-up to the Women's Rugby World Cup, which will be in England from 22 August. Fiji will also be at the event. Meanwhile, Tonga Lofa XV captain Tonga Tuiaki said they are learning a lot from the tournament, especially with a number of new players included in their team this year. "Congratulations to [Samoa] on the win. Since we're getting to this level, I know we have to put in a lot, since we're playing at this very high level. "I think our team did great and I'm super proud of them - even though for some of the girls it's a new level, they showed themselves and I respect them all." The side scored two tries in the second half and showed resilience of defence in the second 40-minute spell. The majority of the Tonga players are local based. Saturday's Manusina XV and Fijiana XV battle at Lawaqa Park will kick off at 3pm local time. Meanwhile, Rugby Australia has announced Australia A Women will face Manusina Samoa in a pre-World Cup clash on 28 June in Canberra. The Wallaroos will play Manusina in the opening match of the Rugby World Cup in Manchester on 23 August. Samoa won last year's clash in Apia, a late penalty goal securing a 20-17 win. Rugby Australia said the clash will also serve as a chance for Wallaroos hopefuls to press their claims for selection, ahead of tests against New Zealand and Wales in the build-up to September's World Cup in England. The fixture is supported by the Australian Government's PacificAus Sports programme.
RNZ News
08-06-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Pasifika Sipoti in brief for 9 June
The Fijiana women's rugby team kicked off their campaign at the Oceania Rugby Women's Challenge with a 59-5 win over Tonga in Sigatoka. Photo: Ridiqiulas Photography The Fijiana women's rugby team kicked off their campaign at the Oceania Rugby Women's Challenge with a 59-5 win over Tonga in Sigatoka on Friday afternoon. Defending the title at home, the Fijians took a 30-0 lead at halftime. Fiji's head coach, Ioan Cunningham, expressed pride in his team's performance, particularly under the challenging ground conditions at Lawaqa Park. He also praised the impact of the five debutants. Tonga will meet Samoa on Tuesday in the second game of the tournament. Meanwhile, in the Oceania Under-20 Rugby Challenge, the Fiji under-20s team retained their title for another year when they swept through the event undefeated. Fiji will host Samoa and Australia in a tri-nation international boxing event at the FMF Gymnasium in Suva at the end of June. FBC reports the Fiji Amateur Boxing head coach Cam Todd confirmed a team of 30 boxers from Australia and a 10-member squad from Samoa will be competing. The event will feature boxers in the 12 to 19-year-old bracket, in both the male and female categories. Todd said the Australian team features several state champions and elite-level fighters. Team Samoa are currently seeking more funding to make their trip possible. Independent Boxing Samoa Incorporated president Tavui Mike Lemisio said while they have received assistance from the Samoa Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, it's not enough. The Samoa Observer reported the team needs the funding to pay off their airfares, accommodation and other expenses. Former New Zealand sevens and Hurricanes player Salesi Rayasi has been named in the Flying Fijians extended squad for upcoming international matches in July. Rayasi, who played 50 games for the Hurricanes in Super Rugby, signed a two-year deal with French club Vannes last year. Fijians' head coach Mick Byrne has named him in the squad to prepare for matches against the Wallabies and Scotland. The squad includes Hawke's Bay scrum half Sam Wye, some players from the Fijian Drua team and a number of players playing in Europe. The draw has been made for the FIFA under-20 World Cup which includes Oceania qualifiers New Zealand and New Caledonia. OFC champions New Zealand are in group A, alongside hosts Chile, Japan and Egypt. Second qualifier New Caledonia will make its tournament debut and face USA, France and South Africa in Group E. The tournament, which will start in late September, will see matches played in four different cities across Chile. The inaugural six-team Rugby Premier League 7s is set to debut in India from 15 to 29 June. A number of international sevens stars have been named in the six franchise teams, including some from Fiji and New Zealand. Rahul Bose, President of Rugby India, said the event will be a game-changer for rugby in India, and fans can expect nothing less than world-class rugby action that will inspire the next generation of athletes in the country. The Fiji national women's football team scored a 3-1 win over Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby in the team's final international friendly. FBC reported PNG drew first blood through Marie Kaipu, who gave the home side an early lead. But Fijian striker Cema Nasau scored a hat-trick to give her team the win. Both sides now shift their focus to the 2025 OFC Women's Nations Cup, which will be held at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
RNZ News
08-06-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Flying Fijians turn up tempo as Fiji teams dominate Oceania rugby meets
Fijiana player Biutoka Kacimaiwai on the attack against Tonga at the Oceania Women's Rugby Championship game, at Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka on Friday. Photo: Kirk Corrie/Oceania Rugby The Fijians have dominated in two Oceania rugby tournaments they competed in at the weekend. In the Oceania Under-20 Rugby Challenge, the Fiji under-20s team retained their title for another year when they swept through the event undefeated. Having recorded earlier wins against both Tonga and Canada in the past seven days, the junior Flying Fijians turned up the tempo once again to beat Samoa 48-16 in the final game of the challenge series in Nadi on Saturday afternoon. That came at the back of an impressive victory by the Fijiana women's team, over Tonga, in the opening match of the Oceania Women's Rugby Championship on Friday. Fijiana, Fiji's national women's rugby team, proved too strong for Tonga 59-15 in Sigatoka in their opening game. In another strong display, the junior Flying Fijians proved too strong for the junior Manu Samoa team to win the final match of the challenge series. Ratu Aporosa Lalabalavu led the onslaught with a hat-trick at Prince Charles Park in Nadi on Saturday afternoon. The strong and fast winger led Fiji's dominant attacking display, crossing the line three times. The hosts led 17-8 at halftime, with tries coming from Lalabalavu, Marika Koroi and Ratu Apenisa Naevo. Members of the Fiji Under-20s men's team singing the Fijian national anthem at Prince Charles Park in Nadi on Saturday, before their game against Samoa Under-20. Photo: Oceania Rugby There were further tries from Lalabalavu, who claimed two more, Bogidrau Kikau, Isoa Koroinawai and a penalty try that was awarded to the team. Samoa responded with tries to Peneli Opetai and Josh Fuimaono, while winger Christian Lealofi added six points through the boot. In an earlier game on Saturday, the Canadian team overpowered Tonga 50-27. The Canadians kept the Tongans under pressure throughout the game, with Daniel Lucic scoring a double. Other tries were scored by Angus Dewar, Morgan Di Nardo, Coen Quinn, Kohl Kletke, Josh Du Toit, plus a penalty try. Tonga also scored five tries through a double from Sinaipa Langi, plus one each from Sione Valevale, Siua Vaitai, and Tiseni Afu. On Friday afternoon, the Fijiana side started their defence of the Oceania title with a well-earned win over the Tongans at Lawaqa Park. For their part, the Fijians showed their dominance, running in a total of 11 tries. It was a display the Fijians were proud of, with captain Alfreda Fisher stating after the game it was good to have a win in the opening match but hinted they still could have played better. "It's an honour to represent Fiji in front of our fans," she said. "Thank you to the Tongan team for the good match. We maintained discipline and the girls gave their best today. "While there were a few things we could improve on, we'll take lessons from this and work hard ahead of the next game." Fijiana's Rusila Nagasau has a run against the Tongans at the Oceania Women's Rugby Championship game. Photo: Kirk Corrie/Oceania Rugby Tonga's Lofa XV showed a lot of promise, featuring majority of locally-based players. Captain Tonga Tuiaki said she was proud of the players, most of whom made their debut for the Friendly Islanders. "The game was physical at first, but we're just proud of the girls and appreciate the chance to play against Fiji," she said. "I am proud of all the girls. Most are locals and it was an honor to represent our families and country. We'll work on our physicality and are looking forward to our next match against Samoa." The second round of the tournament will take place on Tuesday, with the Lofa XV taking on Manusina XV of Samoa. The Vodafone Fijiana made a powerful statement in their opening match of the Oceania Women's Rugby XV Championship, overwhelming Tonga 54-5 in a dominant display at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka. Fijiana debutant Litiana Vueti was among the scorers, marking her first cap with a memorable try, while Loraini Senivutu bagged a double, along with Josivini Naihamu, who also claimed two tries. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
02-06-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Pasifika Sipoti in brief for 3 June
The Fijiana opened their 2025 season with a game against the Wallaroos. Photo: FRU Media Fiji rugby veterans are returning to the Fijiana 15s team for the 2025 Oceania Rugby Women's Championship. The Fijiana 15s enter this year's tournament as defending champions. FBC reported the returnees include Bitila Tawake, Rusila Nagasau, Asinate Serevi, Iris Verebalavu, and Jade Coates. The tournament will again see Fiji face off against traditional Pacific rivals Tonga and Samoa, serving as a build-up to the women's Rugby World Cup. The first Rugby World Club Cup will be held in 2028. The competition will see 16 teams taking part, with eight qualifying through the Investec Champions Cup and the remainder from Super Rugby and Japan. The BBC reported European Professional Club Rugby chairman Dominic McKay has confirmed the plans. The existing Champions Cup, with teams from England, France, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, South Africa and Italy, will continue. The Fiji Rakavi Football Union Ltd, the company that now manages Fiji Rugby, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the China Rugby Football Association (CRFA). FRU board chairman John Sanday said the MOU was signed in Beijing between FRU trustees board representative Jenny Seeto and the CRFA president Wang Yun. Sanday said the agreement will help boost rugby in both countries, with focus on rugby academies, youth exchanges and high-performance programs. Australia and New Zealand have confirmed their teams for the Pacific Mini Games in Palau. Twenty athletes have been selected to represent Australia in the athletics competition, which is set down for 4-9 July in Koror. Nine weighlifters will represent New Zealand, led by Olympian David Liti. The Games, which will feature athletes from 24 Pacific nations across 12 sports, will officially open on 29 June. Meanwhile, the chairman of the organising commitee said the event will be declared 'drug, alcohol and tobacco free'. Vanuatu's women's beach volleyball players, Majabelle Lawac and Shersyn Toko, have returned home with a bronze medal from the FIVB Volleyball Pro Tour Challenge in China, held last month. The duo defeated China 2-1 in the play-off for third position at the event. That win came after earlier competition in other international beach volleyball events in Vietnam and the Phillipines.
