Fiji

England end Fiji dreams in Marseille

Tries from Manu Tuilagi and Joe Marchant as well as 11 points from the boot of Owen Farrell had given England a handy 21-10 lead at half-time.

However, the Flying Fijians roared back into the game in the second half, scoring tries through Peni Ravai and Vilimoni Botitu to level things at 24-24.

In the end it was England fly-half and captain Farrell who settled things for the 2003 champions, kicking a drop goal to regain the lead before slotting a late penalty to secure victory and a place in the last four.

Portugal secure historic win, Fiji reach last eight

Australia's future in the competition rested with Os Lobos denying the Flying Fijians a point from this final Pool C match, the last of 40 pool stage contests at Rugby World Cup 2023.

That remained a possibility throughout the game, with the 3-3 half-time scoreline raising the prospect of Patrice Lagisquet guiding Portugal to their maiden win in his final match as head coach.

Fiji centre Josua Tuisova plays on at Rugby World Cup after son’s death

The Fijian centre was told of his son Tito’s death last week before the team’s game against Georgia on Saturday. The Pacific Islanders recovered from a 9-0 half-time deficit to win 17-12 and leave them needing only one point from this weekend’s meeting with Os Lobos to reach the last eight.

The funeral of Tito, who died after a long illness, took place in Votua, Ba on Tuesday morning. Fiji Village reported that Tuisova’s father, Isikeli Ratulevu, had spoken to the 29-year-old, who said he was unable to attend the funeral.

Fiji edge Georgia to push Australia towards Rugby World Cup exit

Fiji scored two second-half tries as they rebounded from a nine-point halftime deficit to tighten their grip on second place in Group C, but their failure to collect a bonus point left Australia with a slight hope of avoiding a first ever group-stage exit.

“If I am being honest we were beaten to the punch in the first half. We knew it was going to be a battle. I am just thankful we have the result,” Fiji coach Simon Raiwalui said.

Fiji stuns Wallabies 22-15 at Rugby World Cup in France to break 69-year drought

Not since 1954 has Fiji defeated Australia in a Test match and the result leaves the Wallabies with a 1-1 win-loss record in Pool C.

The Wallabies face what looms as a sudden-death clash against Wales in Lyon next Monday AEST as they look to keep their hopes alive of advancing to the quarterfinals.

It is only the fourth time the Wallabies have lost a World Cup pool match and they have never exited a tournament at the preliminary stage.

Wales earn bonus-point win through Elliot Dee and hold off Fiji fightback

What a comeback it would have been, Fiji down by 18 points with 14 to go. And popular. How popular.

In the end, Wales’s nous, so used to an old-world status in rugby terms well above that of Fiji, saw them through. They have suffered their own trials of late, finding themselves three places below the Islanders in the world rankings, but their four tries left Fiji with just too much to make up. After England’s riposte to the doubters, this bonus-point win was a further fillip for Britain’s ailing powers.

Fiji stuns England in historic 30-22 win to put Wallabies on notice ahead of Rugby World Cup

Key points:

  • Fiji had never previously beaten England at the Test level
  • England captain Courtney Lawes says Fiji made his side "look silly"
  • Fiji will play the Wallabies in the Rugby World Cup pool stage

The result would have been noticed by Eddie Jones and his Wallabies squad, who face Fiji in the men's Rugby World Cup beginning in France next month.

NZ beat Fiji to claim 8th title

An outstanding display from Captain Manaia Elliott was the driving force for the defending champions, scoring twice in the first-half and setting up another as the Kiwis took control in the opening 45 minutes at HFC Bank Stadium.

New Zealand threatened from the off, pinning Fiji deep in their half and able to quell any threats of counter-attacks from the hosts.

Fiji looked to rely on the pace and athleticism of Preeya Singh and Kasanita Tabua to create chances but more often than not found themselves swamped by their opponents defence.

Improved performance expected

The match is scheduled to kick off at 2pm local time in Papua New Guinea.

Watpore has called upon the services of Australia-based player Malinu Raminai to start in the forward position alongside Nenny Elipas. Captain Sagude Zale will play as a flanker with support from the midfield out wide. 
On the opposite flank, Christie Maneu will hold her position, while Mareerose Wadunah and Aileen David will occupy the central midfield.

Bilateral talks fruitful

Prime Minister James Marape and Prime Minister Rabuka discussed issues of importance to both nations especially on opening respective high commissions and expansion of investment opportunities.  

Both leaders met at the APEC House in Port Moresby ahead of the third Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation to take place on Monday May 22.

Highlighted during the dialogue was climate change, an ongoing concern in the Pacific which will be further elaborated in the coming days.