Fiji

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Wigmen have waited 3 years after Lae Snax Tigers won it for a 3^rd time in 2020.

At today’s photoshoot and media conference, Wigmen Board Chairman Andy Hetra spoke passionately about team goals and objectives this year, but more so, how they are looking forward to defending the Melanesian Cup currently held by Lae Snax Tigers.

Hetra said although they will be up against an unknown Fiji outfit they will not be taking them lightly.

The regulation is effective from the date of gazettal.

“Cabinet on 14 February 2023 endorsed that the Health and Safety at Work (General Workplace Conditions) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (2021 Amendment Regulations) in relation to the “No Jab, No Job” regulations be revoked. Such revocation will be effective from the date the same is published in the Gazette,” said Attorney-General Siromi Turaga.

Attorney-General Turaga highlighted this will mean those who lost their jobs when the policy came in can apply for jobs again.