Rugby Union

Zane had his first crack last weekend in a trial match against the Western Force at the expense of the injured Taniela Tupou who is out for the season. 

Reds opened their 2023 campaign in comprehensive fashion securing a 45-10 over Western Force in Perth.

Queensland Reds rising star Zane Nonggorr has some big shoes to fill this season after Wallaby Taniela Tupou was injured during end of last year’s tour.

The announcement coincided with the official launch of this year’s tournament at the Santos National Football Stadium lounge yesterday.

The continued partnership between NiuPower and Sportstok 7s reaffirms the company’s commitment to supporting diversity and inclusiveness in sport in this case the Sportstok 7s tournament.

NiuPower CEO, Michael Uiari on behalf of the company said NiuPower is delighted to be associated with Sportstok 7s again this year, after the success of last year’s tournament.

The PNG Women’s participation is on invitation after their outstanding performance at last year’s Oceania 7s Tournament in Brisbane where they qualified for this year’s World Sevens Qualifiers in Chile.

Coach Billy Rapilla has maintained the core of the team based on combination and consistency with a lot of skill,speed,agility and strength across the park.

PNGRU has the trust and confidence in our girls’ ability to perform at this elite level.

PNG is pooled against Fiji, Great Britain and hosts New Zealand.

Key points:

• Jones coached the Wallabies from 2001 to 2005, including a World Cup final in 2003
• Rugby Australia says it could not pass up the chance to get Jones back for the World Cup, starting in September
• Rennie had coached the Wallabies since 2020 and finished with 13 wins from 34 games

Jones will coach the men's national team and "oversee the Wallaroos program as Rugby Australia pushes forward towards a professional future for the Women's XVs game".

Sabatha and Volu took local club, Bialla Suaras to participate in the recently held Rookie 7s tournament in Port Moresby last month which was a first time experience and an eye opener for the village boys.

Interim NIRU President, Charlie Melachon revealed the affiliated associations of NIRU including Kavieng Urban, Kara, Nalik, Sentral, Namatanai and Matalai Rugby Union Presidents convene today to elect the NIRU President to lead the association for another term.

 Mehachon said Lihir, Murat and Lavonggai Associations participated as observers as they are yet to establish in house managements.

England's Rugby Football Union (RFU) and Rugby Football League (RFL) will restrict transgender participation in the domestic game, with the governing bodies recommending that only players recorded as female at birth be allowed to play in the women's category.

The RFU said last week that it began a review of its existing policy in 2020 with a survey that got more than 11,000 responses.

The first win in New Zealand last week was followed by another first in Wellington: a second consecutive victory over the All Blacks to take the Test series against the most formidable of rugby nations for the first time since matches between the two began in 1905.

Elegant in their simplicity, they were created by binding together buabua trees, not with nails but by “magimagi”, or coconut fibres.

Over time, this shipbuilding genius went into decline, but nearly 250 years later, Fijians re-emerged as the world’s best – not in the water this time, but on the rugby sevens field. And now, in 2022, the ancient trailblazers have again risen in the 15-a-side version of the game, courtesy of the Fijiana Drua’s debut in the women’s Super W competition.

After 10 seasons in the NRL, the former Warriors captain had joined the Blues for the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season.

Tuivasa-Sheck played almost 200 matches in the NRL, captained the Warriors for five seasons and - in 2018 - was named the best player in rugby league's best competition.

But despite months back on the rugby union training paddock, he wasn't quite feeling like a rugby player again just yet.

"I keep telling myself it's not until I lace up and run out in the colours that it's going to feel official.