Latest news with #CastresOlympique
Irish Examiner
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
No Will Skelton for Wallabies as Champion de Crespigny gets surprise debut
Nick Champion de Crespigny will make a surprise Wallabies debut in the British & Irish Lions opener, while Rob Valetini and Will Skelton were omitted with injuries. The 29-year-old flanker, who played for Castres Olympique in France in recent seasons, slots into the back row next to captain and No 8 Harry Wilson and Fraser McReight. Champion de Crespigny is one of just two uncapped players in Joe Schmidt's match-day squad, and had surged into calculations after injury to pivotal backrower Valetini and the in-form Langi Gleeson. Schmidt has backed 22-year-old Tom Lynagh to steer the ship in a new-look halves combination with Jake Gordon. Ben Donaldson will provide backline backup on the bench, with Schmidt resisting the temptation to recall veteran James O'Connor, who wore the No 10 in all three Tests 12 years ago. Hooker Matt Faessler returns after a last-start hat-trick in gold, having started for the Reds instead of playing against Fiji in his comeback from a hamstring injury. Uncapped Andrew Kellaway has bumped Filipo Daugunu off a new-look bench that includes hooker Billy Pollard, scrumhalf Tate McDermott, prop Tom Robertson and flankers Tom Hooper and Carlo Tizzano. James Slipper will join George Smith as the only Wallabies to feature in back-to-back Lions series in the professional era while Wilson has retained the captaincy. Canberra-raised Champion de Crespigny returned from a Top 14 stint with Castres Olympique to play for the Western Force this season to join the back of a bulging queue of contenders. But, with two-time defending John Eales medallist Valetini and Gleeson on ice – former captain Liam Wright (shoulder) is also out of the picture – he'll be asked to dent a Lions line that has enjoyed five relatively comfortable wins since arriving in the country late last month. Lynagh hasn't played since the Reds lost their Super Rugby quarter-final in early June, with a broken hand ruling him out of the Fiji Test. The Italy-born, England-raised playmaker finished school and moved to Australia in 2021 and has flourished under Wallabies coach-in-waiting Les Kiss as the Queensland Reds' main man for the last two years. He will make Australian rugby history as the first father-son Wallabies to face the Lions after Michael Lynagh wore the No 10 against the Lions in 1989. 'The whole squad has worked hard as a group to prepare for what's going to be a massive challenge against an in-form Lions team,' Schmidt said. 'With the short runway leading up to such a big test match, we know we must adapt fast and improve quickly, from the performance we had against Fiji recently. We're very much aware of the occasion and conscious of earning the support from the public through the effort they see on the field.' The Lions will name their side later on Thursday, when it's expected coach Andy Farrell will confirm son and four-time tourist Owen will not be part of the match-day 23. WALLABIES: James Slipper, Matt Faessler, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost, Jeremy Williams, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson (c), Jake Gordon, Tom Lynagh, Harry Potter, Len Ikitau, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Max Jorgensen, Tom Wright. Bench: Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Tom Robertson, Tom Hooper, Carlo Tizzano, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Andrew Kellaway. Agencies
Epoch Times
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Epoch Times
Olympic Rugby Medalist Dies at 30 in Traffic Accident
Olympic silver medalist and professional Fijian rugby player Josaia Raisuqe has died following a traffic accident. He was 30. His team, French rugby club Castres Olympique, announced news of his death in a statement on May 8. 'Castres Olympique is in mourning,' the club Raisuqe was reportedly en route to his team's training center when his vehicle was struck by a train. 'The entire CO family is devastated by this terrible news. Josh had been a member of the club since 2021,' the post continued. 'He was a wonderful teammate, much loved by everyone, including the Castres supporters who had embraced him. We extend our sincere condolences and thoughts to his family and loved ones.' Related Stories 4/25/2025 4/8/2025 Club President and Chairman Pierre-Yves Revol extended his condolences. 'He was a radiant young man, both on and off the pitch, and a pillar of the Fijian community that we have at the Club and to which we are very attached,' 'It's also hard at this moment not to talk about the faith of all these players and Josaia. It goes beyond pain, to help them in this difficult moment for everyone.' Originally from Naitasiri, Fiji, a Pacific island nation east of Australia, Raisuqe joined Castres Olympique as a winger in 2021. He began playing professional club rugby in France in 2015, when he joined Top 14 champion Stade Francais, the highest level of domestic rugby in the nation. At the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, Raisuqe was part of Fiji's silver medal-winning rugby sevens team, defeating Ireland in the quarter-finals and Australia in the semifinals. Fiji lost to France in the final. The rugby sevens version of the game is played with seven players instead of the standard 15. Castres Olympique's next match against ASM Clermont, originally scheduled for this weekend, has been In place of the game, Castres Olympique is paying homage to Raisuqe with a remembrance ceremony at the Pierre Fabre Stadium in Castres, France, on May 10. 'This ceremony will be an opportunity to come together with family, friends and the entire club to honor his memory, share a moment of solidarity and show your support,' the team
eNCA
10-05-2025
- Sport
- eNCA
Fijian Drua grieve death of Castres winger Raisuqe
AUCKLAND - Fijian Drua players were deeply affected by the death of former Fiji international Josaia Raisuqe, its captain and coach said, contributing to their defeat to the Auckland Blues and ending their Super Rugby play-off hopes. The last-placed Drua were beaten 34-5 by the defending champions in Suva on Friday, a ninth loss from 12 matches leaving them with no chance of qualifying for next month's top-six finals. The match kicked off just hours after the Drua players learned of the death of France-based Raisuqe, who helped his country win Olympic rugby sevens silver in Paris last year. The 30-year-old died after his car was hit by a train on Thursday, his Top 14 club Castres Olympique said. Drua captain Mesake Doge said it was "gut-wrenching" for his players, many of whom knew Raisuqe. "Our feelings are for his family, especially with Josaia being away from home," Doge told Sky Sport on Friday. "I know the boys are feeling it for one of our brothers. It was a bit gut-wrenching for us this morning." Drua coach Glen Jackson said the "tragic loss" of Raisuqe contributed towards a modest performance from his team. "With so much on the line it is obviously an upsetting performance for the boys and for everyone watching," New Zealander Jackson said. "I know how much effort they put in to try and make everyone in this country proud." Jackson said brighter news for his team was this week's signing of Fijian international lock Temo Mayanavanua on a two-season deal beginning next year. Mayanavanua has been a key figure for English club Northampton Saints, who are contesting this month's European Champions Cup final against French side Bordeaux Begles. "Someone like Temo brings a lot of experience, especially from the UK, around lineouts and what it means to be professional," Jackson said.
France 24
10-05-2025
- Sport
- France 24
Fijian Drua grieve death of Castres winger Raisuqe
The last-placed Drua were beaten 34-5 by the defending champions in Suva on Friday, a ninth loss from 12 matches leaving them with no chance of qualifying for next month's top-six finals. The match kicked off just hours after the Drua players learned of the death of France-based Raisuqe, who helped his country win Olympic rugby sevens silver in Paris last year. The 30-year-old died after his car was hit by a train on Thursday, his Top 14 club Castres Olympique said. Drua captain Mesake Doge said it was "gut-wrenching" for his players, many of whom knew Raisuqe. "Our feelings are for his family, especially with Josaia being away from home," Doge told Sky Sport on Friday. "I know the boys are feeling it for one of our brothers. It was a bit gut-wrenching for us this morning." Drua coach Glen Jackson said the "tragic loss" of Raisuqe contributed towards a modest performance from his team. "With so much on the line it is obviously an upsetting performance for the boys and for everyone watching," New Zealander Jackson said. "I know how much effort they put in to try and make everyone in this country proud." Jackson said brighter news for his team was this week's signing of Fijian international lock Temo Mayanavanua on a two-season deal beginning next year. Mayanavanua has been a key figure for English club Northampton Saints, who are contesting this month's European Champions Cup final against French side Bordeaux Begles. "Someone like Temo brings a lot of experience, especially from the UK, around lineouts and what it means to be professional," Jackson said. "I believe in a year, in two years, with the right people in the building, we're going to be a quality team." © 2025 AFP
Scoop
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Fiji Rugby Player Dead In Car Crash In France
Fiji rugby player Josaia Raisuqe has died in a car crash in France, where he played for Top 14 side Castres Olympique. The 30-year-old was a member of the Fiji sevens side that won silver at last year's Paris Olympics. Local media reports said his car was struck by a train at a level crossing. The club, which he joined in 2021, expressed its sadness on Facebook and extended its condolences to his loved ones. The Fiji Drua also posted a tribute on social media, saying their hearts are heavy. "We lost more than a player - we lost a brother, a teammate and a true son of Fijian Rugby," it said. "Rest in peace, Jo. Your spirit will forever live on in the game and in our hearts." The Fiji Association of Sport & National Olympic Committee said it joined Castres and the wider rugby community in mourning the "immense loss". "Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Josaia's family, loved ones, teammates and the grieving rugby fraternity both in Fiji and abroad. "Vinaka vakalevu for your contributions to Fijian sport."
