Latest news with #RomainTaofifenua
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.
Otago Daily Times
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
French side an unknown quantity
Gael Fickou. PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES They will hardly be easy-beats but there is no doubt the French team to play the All Blacks in Dunedin next week will be an unknown quantity. Just as well there will still be plenty of star names in the team in black. France coach Fabien Galthie yesterday named 17 uncapped players in his squad for the looming three-test series in New Zealand. The likelihood of the tourists bringing a depleted squad to these shores had been well forecast. Star halfback Antoine Dupont is injured, rampaging No 8 Gregory Alldritt and classy prop Jean-Baptiste Gros are rested, and the likes of Romain Ntamack, Thomas Ramos, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Thibaud Flament and Damian Penaud are involved in the Top 14 final this weekend between Toulouse and Bordeaux. Galthie is allowed to select five players from that final, but they will only be available for the second and third tests against the All Blacks. Romain Taofifenua. Racing 92 centre Gael Fickou, who has 94 test caps, will captain France in the Forsyth Barr Stadium test. Veteran forwards Rabah Slimani and Romain Taofifenua are the only other players in the initial squad with significant experience. Versatile forward Cameron Woki has been cleared to play after the red card he copped while playing for a French XV at Twickenham last weekend was rescinded. An interesting newcomer is lock Jacobus van Tonder. He was a South African representative at schools level before moving to France to pursue a professional career. Uncapped hooker Guillaume Marchand is the younger brother of French and Toulouse hooker Julien Marchand. France squad For All Blacks series Forwards: Esteban Abadie, Hugo Auradou, Demba Bamba, Gaetan Barlot, Giorgi Beria, Pierre Bourgarit, Georges-Henri Colombe, Tyler Duguid, Baptiste Erdocio, Alexandre Fischer, Mickael Guillard, Matthias Halagahu, Paul Mallez, Guillaume Marchand, Regis Montagne, Rabah Slimani, Romain Taofifenua, Killian Tixeront, Jacobus van Tonder, Theo William, Cameron Woki. Backs: Gael Fickou (captain), Theo Attissogbe, Leo Barre, Leo Berdeu, Leon Darricarrere, Thibault Daubagna, Alivereti Duguivalu, Emilien Gailleton, Antoine Hastoy, Baptiste Jauneau, Nolann Le Garrec, Theo Millet, Joris Segonds, Tom Spring, Cheikh Tiberghien, Gabin Villiere.
Straits Times
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
France XV fight back to secure 26-24 win over England XV
LONDON - A try after the hooter by Romain Taofifenua gave France XV a 26-24 victory over their English counterparts in a non-cap match at Twickenham on Saturday, as winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso made a disappointing return from injury. Taofifenua burrowed over the try-line after England had led 24-12 with five minutes remaining but could not keep the visitors at bay in a game featuring four tries and a red card for each side. The match served as a warm-up for England's tour of Argentina and the United States, while France are preparing for three tests in New Zealand next month. France scored two early tries as hooker Gaetan Barlot crossed in the corner after breaking away from a driving maul, and lock Hugo Auradou burst into the England 22 after the visitors turned the ball over at the breakdown. England grew into the game, however, and after incessant pressure in the French 22, number eight Tom Willis scored in the corner before lock Alex Coles took a pop-pass from centre Seb Atkinson to cross the line. Feyi-Waboso, playing his first game since December after recovering from an injury, made two simple handling errors before receiving a 30-minute red card just past the half-hour mark. He was penalised for a high tackle as his arm struck the head of French flyhalf Antoine Hastoy. Initially a yellow card, it was upgraded to red on bunker review. Despite their numerical disadvantage, England led 19-12 at halftime when another strong carry from Atkinson broke the French defensive line and his pass to Joe Carpenter set up another try. Following a red card for French forward Cameron Woki, upgraded from yellow on bunker review, England added a fourth try when replacement loose-forward Alex Dombrandt went over in the corner. France had the advantage in the forwards, however, and powered over for two more tries with Taofifenua's effort converted by Hastoy to secure victory for the French. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
21-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Rugby-France XV fight back to secure 26-24 win over England XV
FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Six Nations Championship - Italy v France - Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy - February 23, 2025 France's Romain Taofifenua celebrates after the match REUTERS/Remo Casilli/File Photo LONDON (Reuters) -A try after the hooter by Romain Taofifenua gave France XV a 26-24 victory over their English counterparts in a non-cap match at Twickenham on Saturday, as winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso made a disappointing return from injury. Taofifenua burrowed over the try-line after England had led 24-12 with five minutes remaining but could not keep the visitors at bay in a game featuring four tries and a red card for each side. The match served as a warm-up for England's tour of Argentina and the United States, while France are preparing for three tests in New Zealand next month. France scored two early tries as hooker Gaetan Barlot crossed in the corner after breaking away from a driving maul, and lock Hugo Auradou burst into the England 22 after the visitors turned the ball over at the breakdown. England grew into the game, however, and after incessant pressure in the French 22, number eight Tom Willis scored in the corner before lock Alex Coles took a pop-pass from centre Seb Atkinson to cross the line. Feyi-Waboso, playing his first game since December after recovering from an injury, made two simple handling errors before receiving a 30-minute red card just past the half-hour mark. He was penalised for a high tackle as his arm struck the head of French flyhalf Antoine Hastoy. Initially a yellow card, it was upgraded to red on bunker review. Despite their numerical disadvantage, England led 19-12 at halftime when another strong carry from Atkinson broke the French defensive line and his pass to Joe Carpenter set up another try. Following a red card for French forward Cameron Woki, upgraded from yellow on bunker review, England added a fourth try when replacement loose-forward Alex Dombrandt went over in the corner. France had the advantage in the forwards, however, and powered over for two more tries with Taofifenua's effort converted by Hastoy to secure victory for the French. (Reporting by Nick Said, editing by Ed Osmond)
CNA
21-06-2025
- Sport
- CNA
France XV fight back to secure 26-24 win over England XV
LONDON :A try after the hooter by Romain Taofifenua gave France XV a 26-24 victory over their English counterparts in a non-cap match at Twickenham on Saturday, as winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso made a disappointing return from injury. Taofifenua burrowed over the try-line after England had led 24-12 with five minutes remaining but could not keep the visitors at bay in a game featuring four tries and a red card for each side. The match served as a warm-up for England's tour of Argentina and the United States, while France are preparing for three tests in New Zealand next month. France scored two early tries as hooker Gaetan Barlot crossed in the corner after breaking away from a driving maul, and lock Hugo Auradou burst into the England 22 after the visitors turned the ball over at the breakdown. England grew into the game, however, and after incessant pressure in the French 22, number eight Tom Willis scored in the corner before lock Alex Coles took a pop-pass from centre Seb Atkinson to cross the line. Feyi-Waboso, playing his first game since December after recovering from an injury, made two simple handling errors before receiving a 30-minute red card just past the half-hour mark. He was penalised for a high tackle as his arm struck the head of French flyhalf Antoine Hastoy. Initially a yellow card, it was upgraded to red on bunker review. Despite their numerical disadvantage, England led 19-12 at halftime when another strong carry from Atkinson broke the French defensive line and his pass to Joe Carpenter set up another try. Following a red card for French forward Cameron Woki, upgraded from yellow on bunker review, England added a fourth try when replacement loose-forward Alex Dombrandt went over in the corner. France had the advantage in the forwards, however, and powered over for two more tries with Taofifenua's effort converted by Hastoy to secure victory for the French.
