Latest news with #Fiji
RNZ News
a day ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Flying Fijians eye improvements ahead of Pacific Nations Cup
Fiji will focus on defending their PNC title. Photo: AFP / Josua Buredua Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne believes his team will be better heading into the 2025 Pacific Nations Cup (PNC), following their recent Test matches against the Wallabies and Scotland. The Fijians lost a close match against the Wallabies in Sydney early July, but rebounded to win against Scotland a week later in Suva. In a review of the team's performance, Byrne told RNZ Pacific there were a lot of positives he and his coaching team picked up, with key areas also needing work also identified. "I think some of the key positives was our defence, especially in our back end," Byrne said. "Over the last season, we probably gave away some penalties there and gave teams easy opportunities to kick to the corner or to get points. I thought our defence really stepped up and we were able to withstand a little bit of pressure there, which was pleasing. "And I think also the work we are doing around the contact area, while we can always get better in that breakdown area, we felt that we made some good gains there as well." Byrne said finishing off moves and plays needed work as Fiji focuses on defending their PNC series title. "We created quite a few opportunities that we did not get across the line, or we just dropped the ball," he said. "Our handling was a little bit down, so, probably just finishing off our plays is something we can focus on, and that just comes about from having more training time. "Some players had not played for four or five weeks, so, the touch is a little bit out. But if we can get together for four or five weeks, I think we will see the improvement in our execution." Byrne used the two matches to test his players, while also trying out combinations. Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne Photo: Fiji Rugby Fiji needs to keep winning matches and gain on world rankings for better placing in the pool draws for the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Fullback Salesi Rayasi and young halfbacks Phillip Baselala and Samuel Wye were three players who made their debut in the white jersey against the Wallabies and Scotland. "The pleasing thing is they did not look out of place with a white jersey on and that is always a good sign," Byrne said. "They certainly did not look out of place during the week of training, which is always a good indication from a coaching group, when you see the players come in and train and they fit right in, and they do their job really well. "I thought the three of them did themselves well when they came on, did their jobs that was required, and they've put their hand up for future selections." The next step now for Byrne and his coaching team is securing players to take them through the PNC series. The series starts off on 23 August with two pools of Pacific and Asia teams. Pacific includes Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, while Asia has Japan, Canada and USA. The Flying Fijians will kick off their campaign on 30 August against Tonga in Suva, before they meet Samoa in Rotorua on 6 September. Byrne said players have returned to their respective clubs after the two test matches against the Wallabies and Scotland. He and his staff are working through player availability for the PNC. "Hopefully, we can put some sort of extended squad together by the end of next week, and then we can probably name our squad the following week," he said. "We will just continue to work with our players to get everybody available. Obviously, we are going to put out the best team we can to defend our to defend the the PNC." He said one of the key areas for Fiji is to check on all its players availability. "We need the Northern Hemisphere players, there is a lot of them indicated they would like to come back and be part of PNC, but they need to get clearance from their clubs. "Once we have got an understanding of our players availability then we have to get them all on the same page in that short period of time." Meanwhile, Tonga's national rugby team, the 'Ikale Tahi, have also kicked off their PNC preparation with a team camp in Auckland. Head coach Tevita Tuifua said the camp has brough players together for the first time. Missing were some players who are currently committed to the National Provincial Championshop in New Zealand. But former All Black Salesi Piutau and France-based Ben Tameifuna are two of the senior players in the squad who are in camp. 'Ikale Tahi player Salesi Piutau (left) is in camp with the squad in Auckland. Photo: Tonga Rugby League "We have some players in camp while there are others who are tied up with club commitments at the moment," Tuifua said. "We hope that we can get everyone together before the PNC starts." Tonga will meet the Queensland Reds in Nuku'alofa on 15 August in their only warm-up game before they host Manu Samoa on 23 August. Both Tonga and Samoa will be fighting to secure spots at the 2027 Rugby World Cup, with the PNC doubling as a World Cup qualifier this year. With Fiji and Japan having already qualified, Samoa and Tonga will have to battle against Canada and USA for the three Oceania spots available.
RNZ News
a day ago
- RNZ News
Investigation underway in Fiji after newborn baby found in university hostel sanitary bin
Lautoka Hospital. Photo: Supplied/Fiji MOH An investigation is underway in Fiji after a baby was found in a sanitary bin in the toilets of a university student hostel in Lautoka city. A video obtained by The Fiji Times shows the moment the crying baby was pulled out from a sanitary bin in the female toilets. Fiji police say a student heard the a baby crying inside the washroom on Sunday. "With the help of the hostel staff, the baby was retrieved and quickly conveyed to the Lautoka Aspen Hospital, where he remains admitted in good health," police said. Investigators are conducting inquiries and have yet to find the baby's mother. Anyone with information that could assist with investigations is urged to call Crimestoppers on 919 or the Western Division Command Centre on 9905 457.
RNZ News
a day ago
- RNZ News
Investigation underway in Fiji after newborn baby found in university hostel bin
Lautoka Hospital. Photo: Supplied/Fiji MOH An investigation is underway in Fiji after a baby was found in a sanitary bin in the toilets of a university student hostel in Lautoka city. A video obtained by The Fiji Times shows the moment the crying baby was pulled out from a sanitary bin in the female toilets. Fiji police say a student heard the a baby crying inside the washroom on Sunday. "With the help of the hostel staff, the baby was retrieved and quickly conveyed to the Lautoka Aspen Hospital, where he remains admitted in good health," police said. Investigators are conducting inquiries and have yet to find the baby's mother. Anyone with information that could assist with investigations is urged to call Crimestoppers on 919 or the Western Division Command Centre on 9905 457.
RNZ News
a day ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Pasifika Sipoti in brief for 29 July
Fijian rugby fans celebrate Photo: Photosport The Fiji Rugby Union has recorded a net income of FJ$105,962 (around US$47,000) for the financial year ended 31 December 2024. This is a drop from a net income of more than US$470,000 the previous year because of Rugby World Cup expenses. This was revealed at the union's 2025 Annual General Meeting in Suva. Total gross income reached around US$13 million, primarily driven by corporate sponsorships, government and World Rugby grants. Meanwhile, the AGM also approved the appointment of Lailanie Burnes as director of rugby. Solomon Islands women's football captain Ileen Pegi has joined the Labasa women's team in the Fiji Football competition. The 33-year-old striker led the Solomon Islanders to a win the Oceania Women's Nations Cup earlier this month in Suva. On Sunday she turned out for Labasa and scored a goal in the team's 3-0 win over Rewa. Pegi is expected to join her national side again for the Melanesian Cup tournament in November. A number of Pacific Islands swimmers are competing at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. Countries that have swimmers at the meet include Fiji, Tonga, Palau, Papua New Guinea and Samoa. The competition started on Sunday and will run until the weekend. The Cook Islands Rugby Union is targeting a number of overseas-based players in their training squad, preparing for the Oceania Tournament later this year. Cook Islands News reported national coach Clive Nicholas and the team management are looking at how they can include the players. Rarotonga-based players have started their preparation with their first training session last Wednesday, at the National Stadium in Nikao.
RNZ News
a day ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
Fiji's anti-corrupt chief faces legal turmoil amid political tensions and NZ's denial of support
By Christine Ravoi , PMN From left: Fiji PM Sitiveni Rabuka, NZ PM Christopher Luxon, and former Fiji anti-corruption chief Barbara Malimali. Photo: Fiji government/PIF/Supplied The New Zealand Government has made it clear that it did not offer assistance to the Fijian government over a legal case involving the country's former anti-corruption chief. Lawyer Barbara Malimali was appointed as the head of Fiji's Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) in September 2024, effective for a three-year term. But shortly after her appointment, Malimali was questioned by investigators after being detained at the direction of her acting deputy commissioner, Francis Puleiwai. Last month, the Fiji Police began investigations into a Commission of Inquiry report on Malimali's appointment. Before taking on the new role, Malimali was the Chairperson of Fiji's Electoral Commission (ECF). FICAC was established in 2007 under the leadership of Frank Bainimarama, who has been Fiji's Prime Minister for 15 years. But many people believe that FICAC has not fulfilled its purpose. In a statement, Puleiwai says Malimali should not have been considered for the FICAC head position, as the organisation was investigating her for allegedly misusing her authority as chair of the Electoral Commission. Pulewai also sought an arrest warrant for Fiji's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Biman Prasad, claiming that he failed to fully disclose his assets prior to the 2023 election. Documents that were leaked online indicate that Puleiwai informed Fiji's Justice Minister about the investigation into Prasad's finances. The move sparked strong reactions, leading to the dismissal of Attorney-General Graham Leung, who suggested Puleiwai was targeting Malimali due to her unsuccessful application for the top position. From left, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Dr Biman Prasad, former FICAC deputy commissioner Francis Puleiwai, and dismissed Attorney-General Graham Leung. Photo: Fiji government/FICAC Leung dismissed the allegations against Malimali, saying they resulted from a misunderstanding and expressed concern over a trend in which people are unfairly blamed based on rumours. "If Ms Pulewai has a problem with the appointment, then, like everyone else, she should take it to court." On 29 May 2025, Malimali was suspended by the President, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, at the Prime Minister's advice while investigations were underway. But just a few days later, the President acknowledged that the suspension decision had been sent to Malimali by mistake. Following these events, Puleiwai resigned from her position as deputy commissioner. Malimali is challenging the President's decision in court, and on 22 July, a judge granted her leave to bring judicial review proceedings against her dismissal. PMN News understands that the Fiji government looks set to pay around NZ$1.5 million in damages to Malimali, offering the disgraced commissioner an out-of-court settlement after her lawyer lodged the judicial review of her sacking in the High Court in Suva. Recent reports have also stated that there were misunderstandings over remarks made by New Zealand's Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, suggesting that he had offered legal support to Fiji. Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka maintains that the New Zealand government is willing to help if a formal request is made. He adds that they have not yet requested support but would communicate through the appropriate channels if needed. "If it comes to the point where we need to fight, New Zealand is ready to assist us. And we will take it up. "They are prepared. We have not requested it. If we make the request, then they will send it. I would communicate this either through my Solicitor-General or Attorney-General on our side." But a spokesperson for New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) told PMN News that the "Government has not made any offer to, nor received any request from, the Government of Fiji in this matter". Malimali is the first female commissioner to assume the role after Rashmi Aslam's resignation in September 2023. -This article was first published by [PMN].
