Fiji
Wales survived a couple of nervy final minutes to record a 32-26 win over Fiji in a pulsating encounter in Bordeaux on Sunday.
Dan Biggar set a new Wales Rugby World Cup overall points record as his side held on by the skin of their teeth.
Flyhalf Biggar scored 12 points to move to a tally of 109 and pass Neil Jenkins total of 98 as both sides opened their campaigns in the tournament.
The two teams scored four tries and Fiji could have had a fifth right at the death if Semi Radradra had not spilt the ball – the look of agony on his face tells its own story.
Barbarians (12) 31 / 33 (14) Fiji (Final Score)
The Barbarians and Fiji did battle in a friendly International of 2019 at
Twickenham Stadium, London, England on 16 November 2019 at 16:30 SA Time (14:30 UK Time & GMT, Sunday 03:30 Fiji Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 5 on TV in SA.
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Wales (14) 29 / 17 (10) Fiji (Final Score)
Wales and Fiji did battle in a Rugby World Cup 2019 International at
Oita Stadium, Oita Prefecture, Japan on 9 October 2019 at 11:45 SA Time (18:45 Japan Time, 10:45 UK Time, 21:45 Fiji Time, 09:45 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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Georgia (3) 10 / 45 (7) Fiji (Final Score)
Georgia and Fiji did battle in a Rugby World Cup 2019 International at
Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Osaka Prefecture, Japan on 3 October 2019 at 07:15 SA Time (14:15 Japan Time, 09:15 Georgia Time, 17:15 Fiji Time, 05:15 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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Wallabies (12) 39 / 21 (14) Fiji (Final Score)
The Australian Wallabies and Fiji did battle in a Rugby World Cup 2019 International at
Sapporo Drome, Sapporo, Japan on 21 September 2019 at 06:45 SA Time (13:45 Japan Time, 14:45 AEST, 16:45 Fiji Time, 04:45 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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Fiji Rugby named the squad to represent Fiji at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan at a Media Conference at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva, Fiji.
Head Coach John McKee said the squad, captained by Dominiko Waqaniburotu, has an opportunity to do something special for Fiji and is challenging the players to step up their intensity and commitment to make a real impact in Japan.
“I wish the players selected well and remind them of the responsibility they must take on in representing Fiji in a RWC,” said McKee.
“With 35 days until our opening match against the Wallabies now is the time to step our preparation up in the final phase to ensure we put ourselves in the best position to achieve our performance goals at RWC.”
The World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup 2019 comes to a conclusion this weekend with silverware on the line as the USA and Japan, the two unbeaten teams, meet in the title decider in Suva.
There could be double delight for USA in the Fijian capital of Suva on Saturday as the Eagles chase their first World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup title and a possible all-time high of 11th in the World Rugby Rankings.
To do this, they would need to beat Japan by more than 15 points – a difficult task given that the Brave Blossoms are also unbeaten and looking in good form following impressive wins against Fiji and Tonga. Like the USA, Jamie Joseph’s men have rankings history in their sights as a record-equalling ninth place could be theirs if they win and the result of the Rugby Championship match between Argentina and South Africa in Salta falls in their favour.
The stage is set for a thrilling World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup 2019, with the tournament taking on added significance two months out from the World Cup.
This year’s edition promises to be one of the most competitive and fascinating to date with all six participating teams making their final World Cup preparations.
The tournament will be contested by Japan, Canada, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji and USA over three rounds on July 27, August 3 and August 9-10, offering teams a vital chance to fine-tune their squads and scope out their opposition.
This Saturday’s opening round fixtures feature Tonga versus Samoa in Apia, Japan versus Fiji in Kamaishi and USA versus Canada in Glendale.
France (14) 14 / 21 (12) Fiji (Final Score)
France and Fiji did battle in the End Of Year Tours 2018 Internationals at
Stade de France, Paris, France, at 22:05 SA Time (21:05 French Time, 20:05 GMT, Sunday 09:05 Fiji Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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Wallabies (18) 37 / 14 (0) Fiji (Final Score)
The Australian Wallabies and Fiji did battle in The June Internationals 2017 at
AAMI Park, Melbourne, Australia at 07:00 SA Time (15:00 AEST, 17:00 Fiji Time, 05:00 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Barbarians (28) 40 / 7 (0) Fiji (Final Score)
The Barbarians and Fiji did battle in the End Of Year Tours 2016 Internationals at
Kingspan Stadium, Belfast, Northern Ireland, at 21:30 SA Time (19:30 UK Time & GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Nemani Nadolo
New Zealand’s Super Rugby franchise the Crusaders have confirmed that Fijian Rugby World Cup winger Nemani Nadolo will not be extending his contract with the Christchurch team next season.
Nadolo has agreed to play his rugby in France for French club Montpellier after the 2016 Super Rugby season.
Fijian winger Nadolo was raised in Brisbane Australia and has had playing stints in the UK, France, Australia and Japan but his career only really took off when he joined the Crusaders.
Nadolo is now 1 of the hottest wingers in World Rugby but it was not long ago that he was with the Waratahs and was unable to make the match day team.
The winger left Sydney and played for Bourgoin between 2010 and 2011 before joining Japan’s NEC Green Rocket where he was brought to the attention of Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder.
Leone Nakarawa (left) receiving his awards
Glasgow Warriors lock Leone Nakarawa was celebrating last night after picking up 2 awards at the Pacific Island Players’ Player of the Year Awards.
The Fijian international won the Pacific Island Players Association (PIPA) 2015 Fijian Players’ Player of the Year Award as well as the overall Digicel Pacific Island Players’ Player of the Year Award.
The 27-year-old was a stand-out performer for Fiji during the recent 2015 Rugby World Cup, rated by many onlookers and commentators as 1 of the best players of the tournament.
Named in tournament sponsors’ Société Générale’s dream team, Nakarawa scored a try in Fiji’s 47 / 15 victory over Uruguay, as well as appearing in all 10 of Fiji’s Test matches throughout the year.
Prior to the tournament, the 6ft 6″ lock had been named the Man Of The Match for Glasgow’s Pro12 2015 Grand Final in Belfast, as Warriors defeated Munster 31 / 13.
Nakarawa, who joined Glasgow from Saracens in August 2013, has made 46 appearances for Glasgow, scoring 10 points in the process.
Kenya celebrate their Qualification for the Olympics in Rio in 2016
The Australian mens Sevens team as well as the Kenyan mens Sevens teams both qualified on the weekend for the Olympics Sevens event in Rio in 2016.
On the womens side, Fiji Womens Sevens also qualified for the womens event at Rio 2016.
SANZAR is delighted to reveal that Super Rugby is coming to the Pacific Islands for the 1st time as Fiji is announced to host the Round 15 clash between the Chiefs and the Crusaders.
The match, to be played at Suva’s ANZ Stadium, will see Fiji become the 8th nation to host a Super Rugby fixture, joining Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina, Japan, Singapore and the United Kingdom.
SANZAR Interim CEO, Brendan Morris, welcomed the exciting news.
“In 2016, Super Rugby is being delivered to more countries and more fans than ever before. Not only will we see games played in Argentina, Japan and Singapore for the 1st time in history, but we are delighted to partner with the Fijian Government, the Chiefs and event promoter Fortress to deliver the 1st ever match to the Pacific Islands.
Leone Nakarawa
Leone Nakarawa and Fiji ended their RWC 2015 campaign with a 47 / 15 win over Uruguay, and with 32 pool matches completed across the tournament, the lists that measure individual performance in the tournament are almost all marked with a bit of the Glasgow Warriors’ lock.
As of 8 October, Nakarawa leads the tournament for offloads (10) and turnovers won (9), meaning the lock forward steals ball like David Pocock and offloads like Sonny Bill Williams. Or rather, they do it like he does, as he is ahead of both of them on the list of their respective specialities.
He is also 5th for most runs made (42), 7th for carries over the gainline (19), and in the top 20 of another 2 categories: 16th for most metres made (177m) and 20th for most tackles made (34). His presence in so many of the lists indicates a player who is, at the very least, central to the action in defence, and a huge threat in attack.
And huge is the right word. Nakarawa stands 1.98cm and weighs 117kg (6ft 6in, 18st 6lb), but his body frame is very much in proportion, which keeps him agile and quick. His agility allows him to stoop and steal ruck ball, and adjust his body shape for offloads; his speed allows him to utilise space and break the gainline when opportunities present themselves.
Stephen Betham, Samoa head coach
Samoa coach Stephen Betham claimed Thursday the Pacific island teams had been singled out over rough play and were warned about their discipline before the Rugby World Cup began.
As the penalties and Yellow Cards mount up against Samoa, Fiji and Tonga, Betham said the teams were “tainted. We were warned at the start.”
His outburst came as Samoa considered appealing a 5-week ban on Alesana Tuilagi for kneeing Harumichi Tatekawa as the Japanese player tried to tackle him.
The judicial ruling has been widely criticised on social media by former players as video replays indicated a problem with the technique of the much smaller Tatekawa as he tried to stop Tuilagi in full flight.
“We are feeling the pain,” Betham said of not being able to field the giant Newcastle wing in their final pool game against Scotland on Saturday.
Fiji (26) 47 / 15 (10) Uruguay (Final Score)
Fiji and Uruguay did battle in the 2015 Rugby World Cup at
Stadium MK, Milton Keynes, England at 21:00 SA Time (20:00 BST, 19:00 GMT, 16:00 Uruguay Time, Wednesday 07:00 Fiji Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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England have dropped 2 places to 8th in the World Rugby rankings after their World Cup defeat to Australia at Twickenham.
Only once before, in 2009, have England been as low as 8 on the list. There were times in 2003 and 2004 when they were the No 1 team in the world.
If Scotland were to register 2 more victories at the Rugby World Cup, they could move up and push England even lower. Never, since the rankings began in 2003, have England been outside the top 8. Only 4 other teams – New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and France – have maintained a top-8 place since the rankings began.
8 Teams have moved up 1 place in the rankings, which are based on results and the level of opposition.
Under the points exchange system used to calculate rankings, sides take points off each other based on the match result – whatever 1 side gains, the other loses. Such points exchanges are doubled during Rugby World Cup to recognise the unique importance of this event.
4 Nations have dropped down: Wales by 1 place from 2 to 3, Ireland by 1 from 4 to 5, England by 2 from 6 to 8, and Samoa by 4 from 11 to 15.
The 8 risers, all by 1 place, are Australia to 2nd, South Africa to 4th, France to 6th, Argentina to 7th, Japan to 11th, Tonga to 12th, Italy to 13th and Georgia to 14th.
Manasa Saulo
World Cup chiefs have banned Fiji prop Manasa Saulo for 10 weeks for stamping on the head of Wales’ player Luke Charteris.
The ban is the toughest handed out yet for an offence at the Rugby World Cup. Saulo jumped on Wales replacement Charteris during Fiji’s 23 / 13 defeat in Cardiff on Thursday.
Rugby World Cup said the offence was considered at the “top end” of the danger scale and that judicial officer Adam Casselden of Australia had considered a 4 month ban.
“However, taking into account mitigating factors including his early admission, disciplinary record, good character and remorse and the absence of any off-field aggravating factors, the player was suspended for a period of 10 weeks,” said a statement.
Wales (17) 23 / 13 (6) Fiji (Final Score)
Wales and Fiji did battle in the 2015 Rugby World Cup at
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff at 17:45 SA Time (16:45 BST, 15:45 GMT, Friday 03:45 Fiji Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Fiji and Wales meet in a Pool A match tomorrow at the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff. The match is scheduled to kick off at 17:45 SA Time (16:45 BST, 15:45 GMT).
Both teams have made various changes to the their match day squads, with many of these changes being enforced due to injury and in Fiji’s case also in part due to suspensions.
Fiji have made 6 changes to their starting line up since their last game. Winger Timoci Nagusa is 1 of those changes, he slots into the team in place of injured Waisea Nayacalevu. Another change will see scrumhalf Niko Matawalu miss the game due to a slight niggle. Matawalu’s place in the run on team will be taken by Nemia Kenatale. Another big player missing from Fiji’s line up is winger Nemani Nadolo who is serving a 1 week ban for a dangerous tackle against Australia. His vacant berth is being filled by Aseli Tikoirotuma.
Wales have made 3 changes to their starting team from the 1 who started in their win against England on Saturday night. All 3 of the changes Wales have made are in the backline. Tyler Morgan will make his Rugby World Cup debut as he starts at outside centre in place of the injured Scott Williams. Mathew Morgan and Alex Cuthbert start at fullback and wing respectively in place of the injured duo Liam Williams and Hallam Amos.
There seems to have been so many injuries already in this tournament which is barely halfway through the group stages. One feels sorry for the players who have had their World Cup short and wish them all a speedy recovery, it just shows what an attritional game Rugby Union is.
We could theorize all day on the possible reasons for all of these injuries: too many games, players bulking up, laws not being sufficient or those that are there not sufficiently enforced, players possibly carrying injuries into the tournament. The harsh reality for those who have been ruled out is that the game involves high speed collisions of big men and they have been reduced to being spectators for the rest of the tournament as well as having to undergo a period of rehabilitation, for some this involves surgery.
Wallabies (18) 28 / 13 (3) Fiji (Final Score)
The Australian Wallabies and Fiji did battle in the 2015 Rugby World Cup at
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff at 17:45 SA Time (16:45 BST, 15:45 GMT, Thursday 01:45 AEST, Thursday 03:45 Fiji Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Fiji coach John McKee has named his team to play England in the Rugby World Cup opening match at Twickeham Stadium, London on Friday.
Fiji have been able to include Crusaders winger Nemani Nadolo who missed the Pacific Nations Cup which Fiji were crowned champions.
McKee’s backline will be controlled by former Waratah and Super Rugby winner Ben Volavola.
“I am very pleased to be able to announce a very strong line-up for the opening match of RWC2015,” said McKee. “We have come through a very good preparation phase and are ready to move into the competition.
“All our players are fit and available for selection,” McKee added.
England head coach Stuart Lancaster has retained the team that beat Ireland in the warm-ups for their Rugby World Cup opening match against Fiji.
The only change to the match day 23 is on the replacements’ bench with Rob Webber (Bath) replacing Jamie George (Saracens).
Scrumhalf Ben Youngs retains his place in the starting line-up ahead of Richard Wigglesworth on the replacements bench.
Leicester Tigers scrumhalf Youngs will win his 50th cap for England in the Rugby World Cup tournament opener after winning his 1st cap in 2010.
A popular topic of debate heading into the Rugby World Cup is that of eligibility, particularly that resulting from the residency method. We take a look at the foreign-born players in each squad, where they were born and how they are eligible.
An interesting fact – only Argentina can claim that all 31 players in their squad are native to their country. The other 19 teams all have players born abroad, including significant numbers in some of rugby’s most powerful nations.
All told, Rugby World Cup 2015 will have a grand total of 33 countries involved in the tournament. Players born in various African countries – Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria and Zimbabwe join the participating Namibia and South Africa. Zimbabwe has players representing 4 countries, more than any other non-competitor.
Spain is another country not present at the Rugby World Cup who have players representing multiple countries while other countries include Belgium, Israel, Papua New Guinea, Saudi Arabia, and the Netherlands are also all represented.
Australia, England, New Zealand and South Africa lead the way in terms of players representing others at the Rugby World Cup.
South Africa moved up to 3rd place in the World Rankings without even kicking a ball.
It means the Springboks have climbed 2 places in the World Rankings since their last match – a win over Argentina in Buenos Aires, last month.
Their rise, despite the team’s inactivity, is the result of Ireland’s dramatic slump – the men from the Emerald Isle having lost to Wales (10 / 16) and England (13 / 21) in the past fortnight.
As a result, Rugby Championship heavyweights New Zealand, Australia and South Africa will go into the Rugby World Cup as the Top 3 nations in the rankings.
Ireland’s rating fell by 0.79 points and resulted in a 3-place drop to 6 for the Six Nations Champions, placing them below the Springboks.
England gained the same amount of points to leapfrog their Pool A opponents Wales into 4th.
Long-time leaders New Zealand remain untouchable – for a fortnight at least – on 92.89 points, with Australia 6.22 points behind in 2nd and South Africa a further 1.52 points back in 3rd.
Australia were unable to make up any ground on their arch rivals, despite being the only one of the 3 in action over the weekend.
Their 47 / 10 win over the USA Eagles in Chicago did not come with any ratings points, given the double-figure difference in rankings positions and rating points between the nations.
Serious injuries to star fullback Leigh Halfpenny and scrumhalf Rhys Webb, made it a day to forget for Wales, who scraped home 23 / 19 against Italy at the Millennium Stadium.
The elder statesman of Fiji, Seremaia Bai, was the notable omission Friday when Fiji coach John McKee named his 31-man squad for the Rugby World Cup.
Fiji are in the so-called pool of death with England, Australia and Wales, and McKee said he had picked a squad which he was confident “will rise to the challenge”.
They go centre stage at the very start of the tournament, playing hosts England in the opening game.
Led by Montpellier flank Akapusi Qera the squad is dominated by overseas professionals with props Lee Roy Atalifo and Peni Ravai the only local amateurs to make the grade.
New Glasgow Warrior’s winger Junior Bulumakau
Glasgow Warriors have signed winger Junior Bulumakau from the British Army on a 1 year contract.
The 24-year-old, who has been training with the Warriors for the last couple of months, played in the 28 / 10 defeat to Clermont in the pre-season fixture in France last Friday and scored a spectacular try from the halfway line.
Junior was born in Fiji and moved to Scotland at the age of 10 with his parents. He has served as an infantryman with The Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland since February 2010, deploying on overseas training exercises to Kenya and Cyprus.
He has played for Heriot’s in the BT Premiership, while in May he scored a try for the British Army and was named man of the match in their 36 / 18 win over the Royal Navy in front of 80 000 supporters at Twickenham.
He becomes the 2nd winger to join the club ahead of the new campaign, along with Taqele Naiyaravoro from the Waratahs, while Scotland 7s wingers Mark Robertson and Nyle Godsmark are training with the squad.
Waisake Naholo
All Blacks wing sensation Waisake Naholo declared himself back in the running for a Rugby World Cup berth after a rapid recovery from a broken leg using traditional Fijian medicine.
The miracle cure was attributed to “a gift from God”, the Fiji Times reported.
Naholo cracked a fibia during his All Blacks debut against Argentina last month, and after initial treatment in New Zealand, the Fiji-born flyer was told he would be sidelined for 3 months, putting him out of World Cup contention.
The 24-year-old then turned his back on Western medicine and contacted an uncle in Fiji who specialises in traditional medicine and was told to return to the Pacific island, the Times said.
“If you want to play in the World Cup, get on the plane and come here,” the uncle, Isei Naiova, said he told Naholo from his home in Nadroumai village, which is renowned among indigenous communities for the healing powers of certain families.
Fiji celebrate winning the 2015 Pacific Nations Cup
Guinness PRO12 medal winners Leone Nakarawa (no. 5 lock) and Niko Matawalu (scrumhalf) played a big role in helping Fiji win the latest Pacific Nations Cup, beating Samoa in the final.
The Glasgow Warriors duo from the 2014/15 season crossed the line four times between them with Nakarawa dotting down twice. Matawalu scored one try but could easily have scored another, instead he crossed the try line after a trade mark scything break and then past the ball to his captain to score. The Warriors player of the season will be sorely missed at Scotstoun next season with the star scrumhalf having made a move to Bath.
For those who have not seen these two Fijians in action I would tip them as exciting players to watch out for during the Rugby World Cup.
Vunga Lilo
Flyhalf Michael Stanley converted a penalty in the final moments as Samoa stormed back to tie Fiji 30 / 30 at the Pacific Nations Cup.
Anthony Perenise, Paul Perez and TJ Ioane each scored 2nd-half tries for Samoa, who beat the United States 21 / 16 in their opening game last Saturday.
In the other contests the United States of America (USA Eagles) held on to beat Japan 23 / 18 and Tonga stopped Canada 28 / 18.
Fullback Metuisela Talebula and Leone Nakarawa scored tries as Fiji wasted no time getting on the board before leading 17 / 10 at halftime.
Gabiriele Lovobalavu scored Fiji’s 4th try early in the 2nd half and, after flyhalf Ben Volavola converted to make it 27 / 10, it looked like the Fijians were off to the races.
But the Samoans roared back and were able to level the score at 27 / 27 with 5 minutes left in regulation time.
Volavola kicked a penalty 3 minutes later and Fiji were back on top by 3 points. That set the stage for Stanley’s penalty goal just before the final whistle to make it 30 / 30.
Samoa’s next game is Wednesday against winless Canada, while Fiji face Japan on the same day.
Fiji came from behind to beat Tonga 30 / 22 in a bone-jarring Pacific Nations Cup encounter in Suva on Saturday.
In a clash full of direct running and big tackles, Tonga had every chance to beat their island neighbours for the 1st time since 2011, leading 22 / 16 going into the last 15 minutes before their high error count caught up with them.
There were 3 tries apiece with Fiji scoring 2 of theirs as they controlled the closing stages to make a positive start to the 10th edition of the tournament.
The Pacific Nations Cup – which also includes Samoa, Japan, the United States and Canada – is being played under a new format this year with the 6 teams split into 2 pools.
Each team will play the 3 sides in the opposing pool before the top 2 sides play off for the Cup.
After trailing in the opening half, the Maori All Blacks came back to defeat an impressive Fijian team 27 / 26 at ANZ Stadium in Suva.
It was the side’s 305th victory in their 437th match against all opposition, and 20th victory against Fiji in 29 clashes against the Pacific Islanders.
The Maori All Blacks began pre-match proceedings with their traditional Haka, which was followed within seconds by the Fijian Cibi Tau.
The healthy crowd in Suva began to hum with the challenges of both teams being laid down – one had the feeling that wet and blustery conditions were not going to effect the ebb and flow of this one.
As it was between the World Champions and Samoa earlier this week, the Fijians came out with some serious intent, and Kini Murimurivalu gave the hosts the ideal start when, despite the efforts of Damian McKenzie, opened the scoring in the corner.
A few minutes of uncertainty from the Maori All Blacks was put aside as they eased into proceedings and managed to put hands on the ball, but despite this could not penetrate a rushing Fijian defence.