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RNZ News
a day ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Pasifika Sipoti in brief for 9 June
The Fijiana women's rugby team kicked off their campaign at the Oceania Rugby Women's Challenge with a 59-5 win over Tonga in Sigatoka. Photo: Ridiqiulas Photography The Fijiana women's rugby team kicked off their campaign at the Oceania Rugby Women's Challenge with a 59-5 win over Tonga in Sigatoka on Friday afternoon. Defending the title at home, the Fijians took a 30-0 lead at halftime. Fiji's head coach, Ioan Cunningham, expressed pride in his team's performance, particularly under the challenging ground conditions at Lawaqa Park. He also praised the impact of the five debutants. Tonga will meet Samoa on Tuesday in the second game of the tournament. Meanwhile, in the Oceania Under-20 Rugby Challenge, the Fiji under-20s team retained their title for another year when they swept through the event undefeated. Fiji will host Samoa and Australia in a tri-nation international boxing event at the FMF Gymnasium in Suva at the end of June. FBC reports the Fiji Amateur Boxing head coach Cam Todd confirmed a team of 30 boxers from Australia and a 10-member squad from Samoa will be competing. The event will feature boxers in the 12 to 19-year-old bracket, in both the male and female categories. Todd said the Australian team features several state champions and elite-level fighters. Team Samoa are currently seeking more funding to make their trip possible. Independent Boxing Samoa Incorporated president Tavui Mike Lemisio said while they have received assistance from the Samoa Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, it's not enough. The Samoa Observer reported the team needs the funding to pay off their airfares, accommodation and other expenses. Former New Zealand sevens and Hurricanes player Salesi Rayasi has been named in the Flying Fijians extended squad for upcoming international matches in July. Rayasi, who played 50 games for the Hurricanes in Super Rugby, signed a two-year deal with French club Vannes last year. Fijians' head coach Mick Byrne has named him in the squad to prepare for matches against the Wallabies and Scotland. The squad includes Hawke's Bay scrum half Sam Wye, some players from the Fijian Drua team and a number of players playing in Europe. The draw has been made for the FIFA under-20 World Cup which includes Oceania qualifiers New Zealand and New Caledonia. OFC champions New Zealand are in group A, alongside hosts Chile, Japan and Egypt. Second qualifier New Caledonia will make its tournament debut and face USA, France and South Africa in Group E. The tournament, which will start in late September, will see matches played in four different cities across Chile. The inaugural six-team Rugby Premier League 7s is set to debut in India from 15 to 29 June. A number of international sevens stars have been named in the six franchise teams, including some from Fiji and New Zealand. Rahul Bose, President of Rugby India, said the event will be a game-changer for rugby in India, and fans can expect nothing less than world-class rugby action that will inspire the next generation of athletes in the country. The Fiji national women's football team scored a 3-1 win over Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby in the team's final international friendly. FBC reported PNG drew first blood through Marie Kaipu, who gave the home side an early lead. But Fijian striker Cema Nasau scored a hat-trick to give her team the win. Both sides now shift their focus to the 2025 OFC Women's Nations Cup, which will be held at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Flying Fijians turn up tempo as Fiji teams dominate Oceania rugby meets
Fijiana player Biutoka Kacimaiwai on the attack against Tonga at the Oceania Women's Rugby Championship game, at Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka on Friday. Photo: Kirk Corrie/Oceania Rugby The Fijians have dominated in two Oceania rugby tournaments they competed in at the weekend. In the Oceania Under-20 Rugby Challenge, the Fiji under-20s team retained their title for another year when they swept through the event undefeated. Having recorded earlier wins against both Tonga and Canada in the past seven days, the junior Flying Fijians turned up the tempo once again to beat Samoa 48-16 in the final game of the challenge series in Nadi on Saturday afternoon. That came at the back of an impressive victory by the Fijiana women's team, over Tonga, in the opening match of the Oceania Women's Rugby Championship on Friday. Fijiana, Fiji's national women's rugby team, proved too strong for Tonga 59-15 in Sigatoka in their opening game. In another strong display, the junior Flying Fijians proved too strong for the junior Manu Samoa team to win the final match of the challenge series. Ratu Aporosa Lalabalavu led the onslaught with a hat-trick at Prince Charles Park in Nadi on Saturday afternoon. The strong and fast winger led Fiji's dominant attacking display, crossing the line three times. The hosts led 17-8 at halftime, with tries coming from Lalabalavu, Marika Koroi and Ratu Apenisa Naevo. Members of the Fiji Under-20s men's team singing the Fijian national anthem at Prince Charles Park in Nadi on Saturday, before their game against Samoa Under-20. Photo: Oceania Rugby There were further tries from Lalabalavu, who claimed two more, Bogidrau Kikau, Isoa Koroinawai and a penalty try that was awarded to the team. Samoa responded with tries to Peneli Opetai and Josh Fuimaono, while winger Christian Lealofi added six points through the boot. In an earlier game on Saturday, the Canadian team overpowered Tonga 50-27. The Canadians kept the Tongans under pressure throughout the game, with Daniel Lucic scoring a double. Other tries were scored by Angus Dewar, Morgan Di Nardo, Coen Quinn, Kohl Kletke, Josh Du Toit, plus a penalty try. Tonga also scored five tries through a double from Sinaipa Langi, plus one each from Sione Valevale, Siua Vaitai, and Tiseni Afu. On Friday afternoon, the Fijiana side started their defence of the Oceania title with a well-earned win over the Tongans at Lawaqa Park. For their part, the Fijians showed their dominance, running in a total of 11 tries. It was a display the Fijians were proud of, with captain Alfreda Fisher stating after the game it was good to have a win in the opening match but hinted they still could have played better. "It's an honour to represent Fiji in front of our fans," she said. "Thank you to the Tongan team for the good match. We maintained discipline and the girls gave their best today. "While there were a few things we could improve on, we'll take lessons from this and work hard ahead of the next game." Fijiana's Rusila Nagasau has a run against the Tongans at the Oceania Women's Rugby Championship game. Photo: Kirk Corrie/Oceania Rugby Tonga's Lofa XV showed a lot of promise, featuring majority of locally-based players. Captain Tonga Tuiaki said she was proud of the players, most of whom made their debut for the Friendly Islanders. "The game was physical at first, but we're just proud of the girls and appreciate the chance to play against Fiji," she said. "I am proud of all the girls. Most are locals and it was an honor to represent our families and country. We'll work on our physicality and are looking forward to our next match against Samoa." The second round of the tournament will take place on Tuesday, with the Lofa XV taking on Manusina XV of Samoa. The Vodafone Fijiana made a powerful statement in their opening match of the Oceania Women's Rugby XV Championship, overwhelming Tonga 54-5 in a dominant display at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka. Fijiana debutant Litiana Vueti was among the scorers, marking her first cap with a memorable try, while Loraini Senivutu bagged a double, along with Josivini Naihamu, who also claimed two tries. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
