Fiji set to challenge Wallabies before Lions series

Fiji are set to provide the Wallabies with a benchmark for their preparations for the British and Irish Lions after the Pacific islanders named a strong squad for their Test match in Newcastle next month.
Fiji and Australia will meet on July 6 in Australia's only international before facing the Lions in a three-Test series beginning in Brisbane on July 19.
It's the first time the teams have squared off since Fiji shocked the Wallabies at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, breaking a 69-year drought.
The Fiji win helped send the Australians crashing out of the tournament at the pool stage.
Coach Mick Byrne on Thursday announced a 32-member squad to face the Wallabies and also Scotland in Suva on July 12.
While 13 players are from the Fijian Drua, who finished 10th in the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific competition, Byrne has also selected 10 players based in France and five in England.
The backline is set to include European stars such as Josua Tuisova (Racing 92), who scored a try in their World Cup win over Australia, Sireli Maqala (Bayonne) and Salesi Rayasi (Vannes).
Former powerhouse NRL winger Semi Radradra, who plays for Lyon, is a notable omission.
Veteran forwards Eroni Mawi (Saracens), Samuel Matavesi (Lyon), and Albert Tuisue (Gloucester) bolster a dominant forward pack.
Tevita Ikanivere, Caleb Muntz, and Iosefo Masikau Baleiwairiki are among players named from the Drua after strong Super Rugby performances.
"Both Australia and Scotland are established Tier One sides, and we know the level we need to rise to," Byrne said in a statement.
"We've focused on combinations that give us both tactical adaptability and the trademark Fijian spirit.
"We want to win but more importantly, we want to win playing our brand of rugby.
"This squad reflects the depth, strength, and we will give a performance that will make all Fijians proud."
Fiji squad:
Forwards: Eroni Mawi, Luke Tagi, Haereiti Hetet, Mesake Doge, Peni Ravai, Tevita Ikanivere, Samuel Mativesi, Kavaia Tagivetaua, Isoa Nasilasila, Mesake Vocevoce, Temo Mayanavanua, Setareki Turagacoke, Viliame Mata, Elia Canakaivata, Lekima Tagitagivalu, Albert Tuisue, Etonia Waqa, Motikai Murray.
Backs: Simione Kuruvoli, Philip Baselala, Sam Wye, Caleb Muntz, Isaia Armstrong-Ravula, Vilimoni Botitu, Josua Tuisova, Iosefo Masikau Baleiwairiki, Sireli Maqala, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Ponipate Loganimasi, Jiuta Wainiqolo, Selesitino Ravutaumada, Salesi Rayasi.

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Perth Scorcher Finn Allen smashes Chris Gayle's six-hitting record in incredible start to Major League Cricket

West Australian

33 minutes ago

West Australian

Perth Scorcher Finn Allen smashes Chris Gayle's six-hitting record in incredible start to Major League Cricket

Perth Scorcher Finn Allen has sent records tumbling and claimed a special piece of history in the opening game of the Major League Cricket season, breaking a record held by West Indian great Chris Gayle. Allen wreaked havoc for the San Francisco Unicorns as they opened the season against Washington Freedom at the Oakland Coliseum, the former home of the NFL's Raiders and a purpose-built Baseball arena. The domineering Kiwi took to the unusual dimensions with relish, blistering a record 19 sixes en route to the fastest-ever T20 150, surpassing Gayle, who hit 18 sixes for Rangpur Riders in the 2017 Bangladesh Premier League final. Watch every game of Major League Cricket live and free on 7plus Allen's, who is signed to the Scorchers for at least one more season, remarkable knock came to an end at 151 from only 51 balls, his record-breaking six also bringing up the 150-run milestone. The leg side took a pounding as Allen opened the innings with a deft ramp before butchering 40 off 14 deliveries inside the six-over Powerplay. The 26-year-old registered his fourth T20 century off 34 deliveries, setting the fastest MLC century and the quickest T20 hundred by a New Zealand batter. Three Australians featured in the bowling attack for Washington, Sydney Sixer Jack Edwards taking 2-39 from his four overs while former Victorian Ian Holland, who now plys his trade in England's County Cricket system, took 1-33 and the Big Bash League's breakout star Mitch Owen claimed 1-33. Owen made 39 from 20 with the bat and is also set to make his international T20 debut in a series with the West Indies next month. Allen's 151 guided the Unicorns to a mammoth 5-269 from their set of 20 overs, a task that proved far too much for Washington. The Freedom were dismissed for 146 from 13.1 overs in a helter-skelter chase, recording a massive 123-run defeat. However, the Freedom is set to be boosted by star Australian Steve Smith next week between the star's Test duties for the World Test Championship Final and three-match series in the West Indies.

Scorcher sets records tumbling, passes remarkable Gayle mark

Perth Now

34 minutes ago

Perth Now

Scorcher sets records tumbling, passes remarkable Gayle mark

Brumbies legend says team tapered for Super finals push

The Advertiser

an hour ago

The Advertiser

Brumbies legend says team tapered for Super finals push

Winner of two Super Rugby titles, Joe Roff feels the Brumbies have got their preparations right this season after falling short in recent years. The ACT franchise face the table-topping Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday afternoon with the winner advancing to the Super Rugby Pacific grand final. Roff was part of the title-winning Brumbies sides in 2000 and 2004, which was the club's last trophy, but the Wallabies legend says former teammate and coach Stephen Larkham has the team primed to perform. The Brumbies have made the last four semi-finals but haven't been able to make the decider. "Speaking with Steve ... he has unfinished business here," Roff told AAP. "He knows now, in the cycle of his coaching evolution, that the Melbourne Cup is not won in February. "He's coached his team to be primed at the right time of the season and so this weekend, I'm expecting and looking forward to a big performance." No Australian team has won a Super play-off in New Zealand with a 0-20 record, but Roff said that statistic shouldn't bother the Brumbies. They snapped a 12-year hoodoo in Auckland against the Blues this season while they've also beaten the Chiefs in Hamilton, back in 2022. "I see with the Brumbies a sense of self belief," Roff said. "It was only two years ago where, as an Australian public, we were saying we don't know how to beat New Zealand Super Rugby sides and that is not the case anymore, not by any, any stretch. "The belief that the Brumbies have going over to play against a wounded Chiefs team, who will come out very hard, is there." Speaking from Hamilton, Brumbies lock Nick Frost said such records were there to be broken and asked "why not us". "Obviously a lot of it is a bit upstairs, a bit mental," Frost said. "It's we haven't won here for a while or we don't do that well', but it's why not, why can't we be the first to break a record, why can't we be the first team to do that? "In 2013, the Brumbies were the first Australian team to win a play-off match in South Africa ... so the record in New Zealand is going to be broken one day so why can't it be us?" Frost said the team wanted to start well and believed they had the ability to close out a tight game if that was how it unfolded. "We've worked at our game through the year to be able to really close out games and we obviously fell short against the Crusaders, but we still have that big belief we can come home with a wet sail," the Wallabies forward said. "Probably the big thing is starting well, we didn't do that against the Crusaders and you let a quality side get out to a big lead it's hard to claw back, so we want to start strong and start hard." The Chiefs have lost the last two grand finals and were upset by the Blues in the qualifying final, but have All Blacks Luke Jacobson and Quinn Tupaea back in the line-up. The Brumbies, who overcame the Hurricanes in their week-one final, are unchanged. Winner of two Super Rugby titles, Joe Roff feels the Brumbies have got their preparations right this season after falling short in recent years. The ACT franchise face the table-topping Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday afternoon with the winner advancing to the Super Rugby Pacific grand final. Roff was part of the title-winning Brumbies sides in 2000 and 2004, which was the club's last trophy, but the Wallabies legend says former teammate and coach Stephen Larkham has the team primed to perform. The Brumbies have made the last four semi-finals but haven't been able to make the decider. "Speaking with Steve ... he has unfinished business here," Roff told AAP. "He knows now, in the cycle of his coaching evolution, that the Melbourne Cup is not won in February. "He's coached his team to be primed at the right time of the season and so this weekend, I'm expecting and looking forward to a big performance." No Australian team has won a Super play-off in New Zealand with a 0-20 record, but Roff said that statistic shouldn't bother the Brumbies. They snapped a 12-year hoodoo in Auckland against the Blues this season while they've also beaten the Chiefs in Hamilton, back in 2022. "I see with the Brumbies a sense of self belief," Roff said. "It was only two years ago where, as an Australian public, we were saying we don't know how to beat New Zealand Super Rugby sides and that is not the case anymore, not by any, any stretch. "The belief that the Brumbies have going over to play against a wounded Chiefs team, who will come out very hard, is there." Speaking from Hamilton, Brumbies lock Nick Frost said such records were there to be broken and asked "why not us". "Obviously a lot of it is a bit upstairs, a bit mental," Frost said. "It's we haven't won here for a while or we don't do that well', but it's why not, why can't we be the first to break a record, why can't we be the first team to do that? "In 2013, the Brumbies were the first Australian team to win a play-off match in South Africa ... so the record in New Zealand is going to be broken one day so why can't it be us?" Frost said the team wanted to start well and believed they had the ability to close out a tight game if that was how it unfolded. "We've worked at our game through the year to be able to really close out games and we obviously fell short against the Crusaders, but we still have that big belief we can come home with a wet sail," the Wallabies forward said. "Probably the big thing is starting well, we didn't do that against the Crusaders and you let a quality side get out to a big lead it's hard to claw back, so we want to start strong and start hard." The Chiefs have lost the last two grand finals and were upset by the Blues in the qualifying final, but have All Blacks Luke Jacobson and Quinn Tupaea back in the line-up. The Brumbies, who overcame the Hurricanes in their week-one final, are unchanged. Winner of two Super Rugby titles, Joe Roff feels the Brumbies have got their preparations right this season after falling short in recent years. The ACT franchise face the table-topping Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday afternoon with the winner advancing to the Super Rugby Pacific grand final. Roff was part of the title-winning Brumbies sides in 2000 and 2004, which was the club's last trophy, but the Wallabies legend says former teammate and coach Stephen Larkham has the team primed to perform. The Brumbies have made the last four semi-finals but haven't been able to make the decider. "Speaking with Steve ... he has unfinished business here," Roff told AAP. "He knows now, in the cycle of his coaching evolution, that the Melbourne Cup is not won in February. "He's coached his team to be primed at the right time of the season and so this weekend, I'm expecting and looking forward to a big performance." No Australian team has won a Super play-off in New Zealand with a 0-20 record, but Roff said that statistic shouldn't bother the Brumbies. They snapped a 12-year hoodoo in Auckland against the Blues this season while they've also beaten the Chiefs in Hamilton, back in 2022. "I see with the Brumbies a sense of self belief," Roff said. "It was only two years ago where, as an Australian public, we were saying we don't know how to beat New Zealand Super Rugby sides and that is not the case anymore, not by any, any stretch. "The belief that the Brumbies have going over to play against a wounded Chiefs team, who will come out very hard, is there." Speaking from Hamilton, Brumbies lock Nick Frost said such records were there to be broken and asked "why not us". "Obviously a lot of it is a bit upstairs, a bit mental," Frost said. "It's we haven't won here for a while or we don't do that well', but it's why not, why can't we be the first to break a record, why can't we be the first team to do that? "In 2013, the Brumbies were the first Australian team to win a play-off match in South Africa ... so the record in New Zealand is going to be broken one day so why can't it be us?" Frost said the team wanted to start well and believed they had the ability to close out a tight game if that was how it unfolded. "We've worked at our game through the year to be able to really close out games and we obviously fell short against the Crusaders, but we still have that big belief we can come home with a wet sail," the Wallabies forward said. "Probably the big thing is starting well, we didn't do that against the Crusaders and you let a quality side get out to a big lead it's hard to claw back, so we want to start strong and start hard." The Chiefs have lost the last two grand finals and were upset by the Blues in the qualifying final, but have All Blacks Luke Jacobson and Quinn Tupaea back in the line-up. The Brumbies, who overcame the Hurricanes in their week-one final, are unchanged.