Rugby

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.

Mack Hansen’s try and five points from Johnny Sexton helped settle a thrilling clash between international rugby’s top two teams at a sold-out Stade de France.

Replacement fly-half Jack Crowley added a late penalty as Ireland stretched their winning run to 16 matches to take control of Pool B.

Andy Farrell’s men also retained top spot in the global rankings ahead of the defeated Springboks, who now have work to do against Tonga next week to avoid early elimination.

The calendar starts with the Oceania Rugby 7s Championship in Brisbane, Australia this November. Following immediately after is the Pacific Games 7s competition.

When confirming the upcoming events today, PNGRU CEO Sailosi Druma assured the rugby fraternity that despite recent negative comments and unfounded allegations in the media relating to lack of transparency and accountability by the current executive, its business as usual.

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.

Ned Carrick will referee the Premier Grade match between Kramer Ausenco Brothers and defending premiers Credit Corporation Harlequin. Jess Craig takes charge of the Women’s clash between reigning premiers Harlequins and Juggernauts.

Carrick is no stranger to the country having been here for work with the Port Moresby General Hospital and PNG Sustainable Development Program.

He said coming to PNG as a rugby referee is a first time thing and he expects to meet some familiar faces at the NFS on game day.

Present at the launching was Unit Commanding Officers, representatives of team officials from participating teams for the CDF’s Rugby Cup Tournament 2023, officials from Capital Rugby Union Port Moresby and Lae and sponsors. 

The Chief of Defence Force Major General Mark Goina, officially launched the CDF’s Rugby Cup 2023 with the unveiling of the Shield which will have the winning team engraved on also including the previous winners. 
The Commanders Cup tournament runs from July 12 to the 20th.

The Australian government, through PacificAus Sports supports the Oceania Rugby Women’s Championships for the first time to be staged at Bond University, Gold Coast.

The stage is set for the 2023 Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship, with captains of the participating teams spending the morning enjoying the sunshine along the Gold Coast spit for the traditional captain’s photo ahead of the tournament this weekend. 

The announcement was made yesterday evening following a successful clinic program held at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium.

Genia’s appointment is a step towards building the code of rugby union in the country. Capital Rugby Union will benefit greatly from this but even more so, it is a welcome contribution for Will who made the name for himself in the code.

Students from four Central Rigo schools received awareness and training to get them oriented into the game which is uncommon among the young people from Central Province.

‘Get Into Rugby’ Development Officer for Papua New Guinea Rugby Football Union for the Rigo District school, Karo Vui who is the man behind the training of students said his primary role is to educate school kids how to play rugby 7s, as it is a new sporting cord to the district.