The Fiji Times

Battle for run-on side

FIJI 7s coach Gareth Baber wants to properly monitor his team’s training sessions and players’ performance before naming his 12-member side for this weekend’s Los Angeles Sevens tournament. Baber remained tight-lipped on who will make the final 12-member cut before the tournament kicks off this weekend. With newcomer Suliano Volivoli among the 14 players pushing...

Coronavirus puts Sunwolves v Brumbies clash in doubt

Source: SUPER RUGBY Next week’s clash between the Sunwolves and Brumbies in Osaka is in doubt with the Japanese government requesting all professional sporting events in the country be cancelled for the next two weeks due to the threat of Coronavirus. In a statement released today, SANZAAR said they are working to determine if the...

Los Angeles 7s: Baber’s daunting task

FIJI 7s coach Gareth Baber expects the players to maintain their standard from the recent Sydney 7s victory with an aim to improve their performance in every tournament in the World Rugby HSBC 7s Series in the lead-up to the Tokyo Olympics. Fiji will face South Korea, France and Argentina in Pool A during the...

July 4 Test Cotter’s first task

Fiji Airways Flying Fijians coach Vern Cotter is on track to arrive in Fiji prior to the opening rounds of the Pacific Nations Cup, after his early release from French Top14 outfit Montpelier last week. Fiji Rugby Union chief executive officer John O’Connor remarked they had been in constant contact with Cotter and currently reassigning...

Ravoravo Rabbitohs name final squad

Defending Vodafone Cup champions, Ravoravo Rabbitohs named its final squad yesterday for the annual Melanesian Club Challenge. The quad of 22 will be trimmed to 17 as the side prepares from its camp at the Melanesian Hotel in Namaka. “This week will be a very challenging one because we will be naming our best 17...

Davujukia Reds to challenge Kalevu Shield

Davujukia Reds will challenge for the holy grail of Nadroga Rugby – the Kalevu Shield – when it takes on defenders Vusu Brumbies. Holders Vusu Brumbies are made up of players from the villages of Namatakula, Komave, Biausevu, and Vucilevu. They successfully won the shield from Conua Chiefs last year and have held a firm...

Baber confident ahead of LA 7s

FIJI 7s coach Gareth Baber is adamant that his senior players will take charge when they hit the ground running during the HSBC Los Angeles 7s tournament this weekend. THE Fiji 7s team had a scrimmage session against the Australia 7s ahead of the HSBC LA 7s tournament this weekend. “I want to see is...

Simone fit after mumps scare

Source: RUGBY AUSTRALIA Irae Simone was surprised by what he saw as he battled mumps but his greatest worry was what might be happening that he couldn’t see. Simone missed the Brumbies’ round three clash with the Highlanders as the team managed a mumps outbreak and he admitted the illness rattled him. While there is...

Fiji 7s has a scrimmage session against Australia

THE Fiji Airways Fiji 7s side had a scrimmaging session against Australia in the lead up to this weekend’s LA 7s. Coach Gareth Baber tried various combinations as he tries to counter South Korea, France and Argentina in pool play of the competition. Fiji plays South Korea in it’s opening pool match at 6.51am on...

Manaaki Selby-Rickit named in Highlanders team to face Rebels

The Highlanders have named Southland lock Manaaki Selby-Rickit on the bench in their 23-man squad to face the Rebels on Friday, while All Blacks loose forward Shannon Frizell has been given the week off. Selby-Rickit is poised to make his first Highlanders appearance off the bench alongside two other potential debutants, utility back Scott Gregory and tighthead prop...

Coronavirus could force Olympic cancellation, Super Rugby games under threat

Source: RUGBY AUSTRALIA A decision on the fate of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics is set to be made in May as sporting authorities monitor the spread of the coronavirus. Already the virus has forced the cancellation of a host of events in China, where the disease began, and surrounding countries. The virus has currently claimed...

Nadruku calls for improvement

DUAL rugby international legend Noa Nadruku believes the standard of Fijian secondary schools rugby league competition in Fiji leaves a lot to be desired. “They need more improvement, especially with the referees and linesmen,” the former Fiji 7s and Canberra Raiders star said. “The ref is a very important part of the game. “The students...

Baber wary of opponents France and Pumas

FIJI 7s coach Gareth Baber is under no illusion that the Los Angeles Sevens tournament will be a walk in the park for him and his Fijian 7s gladiators. The Welshman knows fully well the capabilities of Pool A oppositions Argentina and France. Beside South Korea, Baber said a lapse of concentration by his players...

Baber maps plans for team after deferment

FIJI 7s coach Gareth Baber believes all teams have been affected by the rescheduling of the Singapore and Hong Kong 7s tournaments this year. Last week World Rugby announced that the two events had been shifted from next month to October because of the CONVID-19 or coronavirus outbreak and safety of teams. Baber said they...

Baber says teams affected by rescheduling of HSBC 7s tournaments

FIJI 7s coach Gareth Baber believes all teams have been affected by the rescheduling of the Singapore and Hong Kong 7s tournaments this year. Last week World Rugby announced that the two events had been shifted from next month to October because of the CONVID-19 or coronavirus outbreak. Baber said they needed to take responsibility...

England overpower Ireland to reignite Six Nations hopes

LONDON (Reuters) – England roared back into the Six Nations mix with another comprehensive demolition of Ireland on Sunday as tries by George Ford, Elliot Daly and Luke Cowan-Dickie helped them to a 24-12 Twickenham victory in their best performance of the year. England were superb in the first half, leading 17-0 at the break...

LA 7s: Warm-up game against Australia

FIJI 7s coach Gareth Baber has an early opportunity to test the teams capacity ahead of the HSBC Los Angeles 7s with a scrimmage session against Australia early tomorrow morning. ‘’We are playing against Australia tomorrow to judge ourselves and test some of our set-pieces ahead of the LA 7s,” Baber said. The national team...

Samoa qualify for World Rugby Under 20 Trophy

Samoa has qualified for the World Rugby Under 20 Trophy after thrashing Tonga 36-0 in the Oceania qualifier at Apia Park. The home side ran in five unanswered tries in wet conditions and managed to keep the kingdom scoreless despite being reduced to 13 players for a brief period in the second half. Samoa first...

Fiji, Australia in warm-up match

THE Fiji 7s team will hold a scrimmaging session against Australia next Tuesday as part of its preparation for the World Rugby HSBC Los Angeles 7s tournament. The 14-member squad flew out for the United States of America on Friday evening with plans to use up a few days to acclimatise to the conditions. Fiji...

Baber allows players to compete in local competitions

THE Fiji 7s team players will be given a chance to participate in regional and local tournaments to keep them in shape for the final legs of the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Series in Singapore and Hong Kong. The two tournaments have been shifted to October following the outbreak of the COVID-19 disease. Fiji 7s...

Police Blue wins Nawaka 7s title

POLICE Blue walked away $10,000 richer after defeating Police White 31-19 in the cup final of the 33rd Fiji Bitter Nawaka 7s at Prince Charles Park in Nadi yesterday. It was history in the making at the tournament as two Police teams featured in the final for the first time. Police Blue had the services...

Baber anticipates tough encounters

FIJI 7s coach Gareth Baber anticipates tough encounters against Argentina and France in the group stages of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series’ Los Angeles 7s this weekend. Both teams have defeated Fiji in the 2019/2020 series and Baber will not be taking any chances. Baber said they would have to set the pace from...

Police Blue wins Nawaka 7s

Police Blue successfully defended it’s crown at the 33rd Fiji Bitter Nawaka Sevens which finished a few minutes ago at Prince Charles Park in Nadi. The Keponi Paul captained team had too much fire power for fellow comrades Police White winning 35-17. Fiji Airways Fiji sevens extended squad member Terio Tamani played a pivotal role in...

Police teams to decide 33rd Nawaka 7s final

IT will be an all Police affair in the cup final of the 33rd Fiji Bitter Nawaka 7s at Prince Charles Park in Nadi this evening. This is after Police White defeated Canterbury Fijians 19-5 while Police White breezed past Raiwasa Taveuni 19-0. Shangri La won the spoon title beating Mosi 12-5 in gthe final,...

Rugby

Resilient Rebels repel lowly Highlanders

28th February