Latest news with #Fijian-born
ABC News
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- ABC News
George 'Fiji' Veikoso: Voice of the Pacific
Fijian-born recording artist and Pacific music legend George "Fiji" Veikoso leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire future generations. Best known for shaping the sound of Island reggae and Island R&B, Veikoso spent more than 30 years in Hawai'i, where his music career took off and earned him global fame. Fiji, who died at the age of 55 in Suva in July 2025, is remembered as more than a singer. He was a cultural force, a mentor and a voice for his people. This music special pays tribute to that legacy.
ABC News
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Pacific music legend George "Fiji" Veikoso dies aged 55
On the program today Fijian-born recording artist and Pacific music legend George "Fiji" Veikoso has died at the age of 55 in Suva. an opposition MP in Solomon Islands says the country risks creating a wedge in the solidarity of the Pacific Islands Forum if it refuses to allow Taiwan to attend. Pacific leaders celebrate after the International Court of Justice ruled that states that fail to deal with climate change could be subject to reparations. Polling in Papua New Guinea's Porgera-Paiela district has been completed peacefully, despite the hijacking of ballot boxes and the destruction of key bridges. In Fiji, the National Geographic Pristine Seas expedition sets sail to study the health of Fiji's oceans. And the Solomon Islands women's captain opens up on the side's historic win at the OFC Nations Cup.
Extra.ie
3 days ago
- Sport
- Extra.ie
Watch: Lions fans slam 'stupid' Pollock after igniting fight
The British and Irish Lions just about got the job done on Tuesday after narrowly beating First Nations & Pasifika XV 19-24 in Melbourne. Leinster back Jamie Osborne was one of the highlights in a lacklustre performance after scoring two tries in his first Lions appearance. However, there was a brief moment in the first-half that caught fans' eyes when England's Henry Pollock found himself in a pushing and shoving match with FNP's second try-scorer Seru Uru. Henry Pollock's antics got mixed reactions on social media. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile The WWE-style fight was very much ignited by the Lions man but fans believe there was a bit of regret in his eyes before he was wiped out by the Fijian-born Australian flanker. Fans took to social media to slam Henry over his 'childish' antics that led to him getting thrown to the floor. One fan wrote: 'I know who I fancy in a scrap and it isn't the posh 20 year old public school boy.' Another added: 'Lucky the referee was there to stop Pollock getting taught a real lesson.' A third commented: 'Sooner or later Pollock is going to be laid out. That boy consistently bites off more than he can chew. To loosely quote Top Gun: 'His ego is writing cheques his body can't cash'. Tick tick on that.' Yet another said: 'Pollock yet to learn an important life lesson, no matter how hard you think you are there's always someone harder out there.' Henry Pollock and Sere Uru getting to know each other a little better 😅 — Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 22, 2025 However, it wasn't all negativity being thrown at the young player online. One supporter shared: 'The comments are embarrassing. You are meant to support your team.' Another remarked: 'There was a moment in that schmozzle where Pollock's life literally flashed before his eyes. In fairness to him, after the initial shock, he doubled down and fought back.' There was a TMO review of the incident but the referee decided that a lecture was enough for the pair of them.
The Star
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Rugby-Beale captains First Nations & Pasifika XV against Lions
Rugby Union - Autumn International - Wales v Australia - Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Wales, Britain - November 20, 2021 Australia's Kurtley Beale reacts Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers/File Photo BRISBANE (Reuters) -Kurtley Beale will get his chance to face the British & Irish Lions on a second tour after being named captain of the First Nations & Pasifika XV team for Tuesday's clash in Melbourne. The 95-cap flyhalf, who famously slipped while taking a potentially match-winning penalty in the first test against the Lions in 2013, was robbed of the chance of facing the tourists for Western Force last month by a hamstring injury. The 36-year-old, one of only 15 indigenous Australians to have represented the Wallabies, has recovered sufficiently to lead a strong backline at Dockland's Stadium. "Kurtley is the most experienced player in the squad and was the natural selection for captain," coach Toutai Kefu said in a news release. "He is an extremely talented footballer and has been there and done it on the big stage." Beale is one of six indigenous players in the line-up with the rest of the matchday squad made up of players with Pacific islands heritage. Tongan-born prop Taniela Tupou and Fijian-born winger Filipo Daugunu were released from the Wallabies squad for the match and will have a chance to show coach Joe Schmidt that they should be in the reckoning for the second and third tests. Tuaina Taii Tualima, Charlie Gamble and Seru Uru make up a formidable back row, while former Wallabies Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Darcy Swain will feel they have a point to prove to Schmidt when they link up in the second row. Former Australia loose forward Pete Samu was prevented from playing by Lions management because he did not fulfil the stipulation in the tour agreement that all players should have featured in Super Rugby this season. Kefu, who helped the Wallabies beat the Lions 2-1 in the 2001 test series, nonetheless felt he had selected a side that could hand the tourists their first defeat in Australia on this tour. "The team has a really nice feel to it, with a blend of not only youth and experience, but also cultures," the World Cup winner said. "The Lions have shown how strong they are on this tour. No matter who plays, they will be very hard to beat, but we're not here to make up the numbers. "We want to win this game and make history." The Lions, who beat Australia in the first test in Brisbane on Saturday, will name their team on Monday. Team: 15–Andy Muirhead, 14–Triston Reilly, 13–Lalakai Foketi, 12–David Feliuai, 11–Filipo Daugunu, 10–Kurtley Beale, 9–Kalani Thomas, 8–Tuaina Taii Tualima, 7–Charlie Gamble, 6–Seru Uru, 5–Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4–Darcy Swain, 3–Taniela Tupou, 2–Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1–Lington Ieli Replacements: 16–Richie Asiata, 17–Marley Pearce, 18–Mesake Doge, 19–Mesake Vocevoce, 20–Rob Leota, 21–Harrison Goddard, 22–Jack Debreczeni, 23–Jarrah McLeod (Reporting by Nick Mulvenney; Editing by Christopher Cushing)
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Beale captains First Nations & Pasifika XV against Lions
BRISBANE - Kurtley Beale will get his chance to face the British & Irish Lions on a second tour after being named captain of the First Nations & Pasifika XV team for Tuesday's clash in Melbourne. The 95-cap flyhalf, who famously slipped while taking a potentially match-winning penalty in the first test against the Lions in 2013, was robbed of the chance of facing the tourists for Western Force last month by a hamstring injury. The 36-year-old, one of only 15 indigenous Australians to have represented the Wallabies, has recovered sufficiently to lead a strong backline at Dockland's Stadium. "Kurtley is the most experienced player in the squad and was the natural selection for captain," coach Toutai Kefu said in a news release. "He is an extremely talented footballer and has been there and done it on the big stage." Beale is one of six indigenous players in the line-up with the rest of the matchday squad made up of players with Pacific islands heritage. Tongan-born prop Taniela Tupou and Fijian-born winger Filipo Daugunu were released from the Wallabies squad for the match and will have a chance to show coach Joe Schmidt that they should be in the reckoning for the second and third tests. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 1 in 3 vapes here laced with etomidate; MOH working with MHA to list it as illegal drug: Ong Ye Kung Singapore HSA extends hotline hours, launches new platform to report vaping offences Singapore No unified guidelines? Animal shelters chart their own paths on welfare standards Asia Tearful relatives await news of Vietnam boat capsize rescue as death toll rises to 38 Multimedia How to make the most out of small homes in Singapore Singapore Minor Issues: Why I didn't send my daughters to my brand-name primary school Opinion I thought I was a 'chill' parent. Then came P1 registration World Diplomats dismissed: Inside the overhaul reshaping Trump's foreign policy Tuaina Taii Tualima, Charlie Gamble and Seru Uru make up a formidable back row, while former Wallabies Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Darcy Swain will feel they have a point to prove to Schmidt when they link up in the second row. Former Australia loose forward Pete Samu was prevented from playing by Lions management because he did not fulfil the stipulation in the tour agreement that all players should have featured in Super Rugby this season. Kefu, who helped the Wallabies beat the Lions 2-1 in the 2001 test series, nonetheless felt he had selected a side that could hand the tourists their first defeat in Australia on this tour. "The team has a really nice feel to it, with a blend of not only youth and experience, but also cultures," the World Cup winner said. "The Lions have shown how strong they are on this tour. No matter who plays, they will be very hard to beat, but we're not here to make up the numbers. "We want to win this game and make history." The Lions, who beat Australia in the first test in Brisbane on Saturday, will name their team on Monday. Team: 15–Andy Muirhead, 14–Triston Reilly, 13–Lalakai Foketi, 12–David Feliuai, 11–Filipo Daugunu, 10–Kurtley Beale, 9–Kalani Thomas, 8–Tuaina Taii Tualima, 7–Charlie Gamble, 6–Seru Uru, 5–Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4–Darcy Swain, 3–Taniela Tupou, 2–Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1–Lington Ieli Replacements: 16–Richie Asiata, 17–Marley Pearce, 18–Mesake Doge, 19–Mesake Vocevoce, 20–Rob Leota, 21–Harrison Goddard, 22–Jack Debreczeni, 23–Jarrah McLeod REUTERS
