Latest news with #TimociTavatavanawai
RNZ News
05-08-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Pasifika Sipoti in brief for 5 August
Scott Robertson speaks to media on Monday about his All Blacks squad for the Rugby Championship. Photo: Nathan Mckinnon / RNZ Fiji-born utility backline player Timoci Tavatavanawai has been retained in the All Blacks squad for the upcoming Rugby Championship series. Tavatavanawai, first selected for the series against France in July, has been named by head coach Scott Robertson alongside fellow Queen Victoria School alumni Sevu Reece and Emoni Narawa. He is one of 16 players of Pasifika heritage named in the squad to face Argentina, Australia and South Africa in the series, which kicks off on 17 August. Two more players of Pasifika originals are named as injury covers, in George Bower and Tevita Mafileo. The All Blacks face the Pumas in their first game. Three Fijian players tested positive for illegal drugs during the Fiji Football Association-organised Battle of the Giants tournament in Labasa at the weekend. Fiji Football Association chief executive Mohammed Yusuf said 48 tests were done on Friday and Saturday. The Fiji Sun reported disciplinary actions range from a fine and a three-month suspension for first offenders, to harsher penalties if that's warranted. Yusuf said the Fiji FA is teaming up with a non-governmental organisation to take drug awareness into districts around the country. The Fiji men's netball team has recorded a narrow 43-42 win over New Zealand on day one of an invitational tournament in Suva. It was the first time the two teams met in men's netball. FBC reported the high-intensity match lived up to the hype. Meanwhile, Fiji A also defeated Tonga 60-37 in the opening match. The action continues on Tuesday with Fiji A taking on New Zealand while Tonga squares off against the main Fiji team. World Rugby chairman Brett Robinson says "rugby is the game of the Pacific". The former Wallaby, now at the helm of world rugby, made the comments after Pacific rugby chiefs recently raised concern over the NRL's investment into the region. The NRL's multi-million-dollar deal between the Australian and PNG governments has raised concerns on how that might affect rugby union. Speaking at the launch of the ticketing programme for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, Robinson said he's confident of rugby's status in the Pacific. Northern Marianas Sports Association President Jerry Tan says he wants the CNMI to send their largest-ever delegation to the 2027 Pacific Games in Tahiti. Marianas Variety reported Tan made the statement at a celebration ceremony for NMI athletes who competed at the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau. Tan said the goal is to send 259 athletes to Tahiti, representing sports such as football, swimming, va'a, baseball, sailing, taekwondo and power lifting. He said work on the process of securing a charter flight with Air Tahiti will begin soon, with fundraising activities to fund Team NMI also expected to roll out in the next few months.
RNZ News
29-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Pasifika Sipoti in brief for 30 July
Timoci Tavatavanawai and Emoni Narawa. Photo: Kerry Marshall / A number of All Blacks with Pasifika heritage will be in action for their provincial teams when the National Provincial Championship (NPC) kicks off this week. Queen Victoria School alumni from Fiji, Emoni Narawa and Timoci Tavatavanawai, will be on opposite ends when Bay of Plenty meets Tasman in Tauranga on Sunday. Narawa joins fellow All Black and Samoan heritage player Pasilio Tosi in the Bay of Plenty squad, while Tavatavanawai is contracted to Tasman. A number of Manu Samoa and 'Ikale Tahi reps are also expected to be in action during the NPC. Samoan-Tongan Phillip Fatialofa is set to play for New Zealand's Futsal Whites at the Continental Futsal Championship in Thailand. Oceania Football says the player is set to make his debut for Aotearoa, with the team scheduled to meet Chinese Taipei on Thursday in their first game. Fatialofa says his selection is a dream come true. With a Samoan dad and a part-Tongan mother, the 21-year-old grew up playing football in Wellington and represented Samoa at the OFC Under-19 Men's Championship in 2023. The Futsal Whites meet Thailand on Friday in their second pool game. The 'Ikale Tahi rugby squad started their preparation for the upcoming Pacific Nations Cup in Auckland at the weekend. Head coach Tevita Tuifua said the camp brought players together for the first time this year. Missing were some players who are currently committed to the NPC in New Zealand. Former All Black Salesi Piutau and France-based Ben Tameifuna are two of the senior players in the squad who were present at the camp. Around 400 RSE workers in the Bay of Plenty area will compete at the second annual RSE Sports Festival in Mount Manganui on 23 August. Led by the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union, with support from BOP Volleyball and BOP Football, the day is a collaboration between the kiwifruit industry and the local sporting groups to provide a day off the tools for hard working RSE workers. Bay of Plenty Rugby manager Ati Aaifou-Olive said the RSE Sports Festival is a new way in which the sport can give RSE workers a positive experience while in New Zealand. In 2024, 11 packhouses entered 39 teams, featuring 350 RSE workers from Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu and Tonga at the event.
Otago Daily Times
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Selection ideas for the ABs...
Timoci Tavatavanawai. PHOTO: NZ RUGBY The All Blacks will name their team today for the third and final test against France in Hamilton on Saturday night. Hayden Meikle outlines five changes he wants to see. 1. "Jimmy The Difference" It is time to unleash the beast. Highlanders co-captain Timoci Tavatavanawai has had an emotional debut off the bench — and how lovely it was to see what the occasion meant to the popular Fijian-born utility back — and this is the ideal opportunity to see what he can do from the opening whistle. Start him at No12 next to experienced centre Anton Lienert-Brown. 2. Dual playmakers Correct, that phrase has basically been abandoned by the All Blacks. Beauden Barrett is now very clearly the first-choice No10 again, and try-scoring freak Will Jordan our No15. But this test is a dead rubber, and an ideal opportunity to give a different combination a run. Damian McKenzie should start at first five, and Ruben Love at fullback. Plenty of attacking spark there. 3. The Canes man Ardie Savea is captain, so it seems unlikely he will be given a rest. I would move him to No8. That creates a chance for the dynamic Du'Plessis Kirifi to earn a first test start on the openside flank. He has plenty to offer, and this would be a valuable opportunity to establish his status as Savea's best back-up on the side of the scrum. 4. No 3 No 9 The All Blacks have plenty of options at halfback, though really there is no doubt Cam Roigard is the leading man. While some will feel Cortez Ratima should start this game to form an all-Chiefs inside back combination with McKenzie, my choice would be Noah Hotham. He will be thirsting for action and this is a rare opportunity to give the third-stringer some decent time on the park. 5. Dutch delight Eighty minutes in Dunedin — led the All Blacks in tackling. Eighty minutes in Wellington — led the All Blacks in tackling. Fabian Holland has an engine that will not quit. Keep our big lad at lock for a third test start, and put injury cover Naitoa Ah Kuoi next to him for a test debut.
Scoop
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
New All Black Timoci Tavatavanawai Makes Dream Come True
Timoci Tavatavanawai knows his dad would be incredibly proud. The Fiji-born Highlanders midfielder came off the bench in the All Blacks 43-17 win over France in the second test in Wellington to earn his first cap. "It feels good. I'm still pinching myself. To run on the field, sing the national anthem and do the haka for first time for this country is special," Tavatavanawai said. Tavatavanawai was visibly emotional during the national anthem and the 27-year-old said it was an expression of joy at having achieved one of his life ambitions. "It was always a goal of mine to play rugby for New Zealand, for the All Blacks," Tavatanawai said. "It was my goal and my dad's goal too. I just couldn't hold back [the tears], looking up at the sky to him where he's watching over me as I made the dream come true." Tavatavanawai, who has nine siblings, moved to New Zealand in 2017 to chase that dream. Sadly, his father died in 2022, before he had the chance to return to Fiji to visit him. He could not attend the funeral due to border restrictions at the time. "He'll be smiling at the moment. His shoulders will be up and he'll be going around telling people up there that we made it," he said. New Zealand Rugby organised for Tavatavanawai's mum to fly to New Zealand for his debut. "They flew over yesterday [Friday] morning. A few people behind the scenes, the management staff, pulled some strings and made some calls and made it happen for her and two of my younger siblings to come over and watch." He said was an emotional moment when he saw his mum and brothers. "I picked them up at the airport and for my younger siblings, it was their first time in New Zealand and first time on the plane. That's why it was extra special today. "Mum said to me, just go out there and be yourself." Tavatavanawai did just that and coach Scott Robertson said he impressed on debut. "He's a man of few words but when he spoke about himself and his nine siblings and his family, it's a pretty incredible story and he was pretty clear on what he wanted to do [become an All Black] and for him to share it with his family is pretty special," Robertson said. "He still wanted to perform. He took those opportunities when he was out there. His story to get here is pretty special." Tavatavanawai said test rugby lived up to all the hype. "Way bigger than I expected from the start. To get a feeling and a taste of test footy [was amazing]. It's surreal."
RNZ News
12-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
New All Black Timoci Tavatavanawai makes dream come true
Timoci Tavatavanawai. Photo: Kerry Marshall / Timoci Tavatavanawai knows his dad would be incredibly proud. The Fiji-born Highlanders midfielder came off the bench in the All Blacks 43-17 win over France in the second test in Wellington to earn his first cap. "It feels good. I'm still pinching myself. To run on the field, sing the national anthem and do the haka for first time for this country is special," Tavatavanawai said. Timoci Tavatavanawai charges forward. Photo: Masanori Udagawa Tavatavanawai was visibly emotional during the national anthem and the 27-year-old said it was an expression of joy at having achieved one of his life ambitions. "It was always a goal of mine to play rugby for New Zealand, for the All Blacks," Tavatanawai said. "It was my goal and my dad's goal too. I just couldn't hold back [the tears], looking up at the sky to him where he's watching over me as I made the dream come true." Tavatavanawai, who has nine siblings, moved to New Zealand in 2017 to chase that dream. Sadly, his father died in 2022, before he had the chance to return to Fiji to visit him. He could not attend the funeral due to border restrictions at the time. "He'll be smiling at the moment. His shoulders will be up and he'll be going around telling people up there that we made it," he said. New Zealand Rugby organised for Tavatavanawai's mum to fly to New Zealand for his debut. "They flew over yesterday [Friday] morning. A few people behind the scenes, the management staff, pulled some strings and made some calls and made it happen for her and two of my younger siblings to come over and watch." Timoci Tavatavanawai and Emoni Narawa. Photo: Kerry Marshall / He said was an emotional moment when he saw his mum and brothers. "I picked them up at the airport and for my younger siblings, it was their first time in New Zealand and first time on the plane. That's why it was extra special today. "Mum said to me, just go out there and be yourself." Tavatavanawai did just that and coach Scott Robertson said he impressed on debut. "He's a man of few words but when he spoke about himself and his nine siblings and his family, it's a pretty incredible story and he was pretty clear on what he wanted to do [become an All Black] and for him to share it with his family is pretty special," Robertson said. "He still wanted to perform. He took those opportunities when he was out there. His story to get here is pretty special." Tavatavanawai said test rugby lived up to all the hype. "Way bigger than I expected from the start. To get a feeling and a taste of test footy [was amazing]. It's surreal." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
