Rugby World Cup

Flying Fijians management to seek clarification

Following the Flying Fijians’ 32-26 loss to Wales in their opening Rugby World Cup loss, people have taken to social media to raise their concerns over referee Mathew Carley’s inconsistent decisions.

Flying Fijians head coach Simon Raiwalui also stated in the post-match press conference yesterday that he wants consistency from match officials.
Valenitabua says they will follow a due process.

Fiji Water hosts over 350 of their employees to watch Fiji vs Wales game

The major sponsoring company for the Flying Fijians hosted its workers for a breakfast gathering and rugby watch party.

FIJI Water’s Associate Vice President, Michael Lynch said “FIJI Water paused production at its bottling plant in Yaqara for a few hours so that all employees could gather to enjoy breakfast and watch the exhilarating match between Fiji and Wales.”

“FIJI Water hosted the Rugby World Cup Watch Party with a dedicated FIJI WaterFan Zone, which was set up at the loading docks.”

We are sorry: Nayacalevu

The national side went down 32-26 in what was the match of the round.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Nayacalevu said they’re sorry for not getting the win.

He added they understood the expectations but it didn’t go their way in the end.

The inspirational skipper also urged fans to keep on supporting them in their World Cup campaign.

Fiji faces Australia in Saint Etienne next weekend.

     

Flying Fijians fall in thriller

It was a match that lived up to expectations with both sides giving their all for 80 minutes with two disallowed tries.

Fiji’s bench really raised the bar with their efforts when they came on and nearly pulled off a memorable victory.

The French fans got behind Fiji right from the start and never lost their voice.

Fiji was penalized less than a minute into the match when Albert Tuisue failed to release the ball after a tackle was made, Wales flyhalf Dan Biggar made no mistake with his shot at goal.

Springboks open Rugby World Cup defence with win

 

Two tries in three second-half minutes from flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit and wing Kurt-Lee Arendse pulled the Springboks clear and Scotland were unable to find a way back into the contest, barely threatening the South African tryline all game.

Scotland now face a difficult road to qualify from Pool B for the quarter-finals and will likely have to beat Ireland when the teams meet in their final group game in Paris to stand a chance.

Faletau returns to Wales starting XV

Head coach Warren Gatland named a squad that contains 10 players making their World Cup debuts.

Wales boasts a side with 1,006 international caps between them, however, the notable omission is co-captain and hooker Dewi Lake who is not up to full match fitness after injuring his knee.

Earlier in the week Gatland said they would employ a similar game plan the Crusaders used against the Drua in the Super Rugby Pacific quarterfinal.

Flying Fijians coach Simon Raiwalui says they’re good to go against Wales.

All Blacks agree: mouthwatering World Cup opener looms

So, has Ian Foster's New Zealand side recovered from their record defeat to South Africa almost a fortnight ago?

Or will French overcome the weight of expectation and draw first blood in Pool A?

The All Blacks were on the wrong side of the scoreboard the last time they played France in 2021, but Foster is bullish about their chances of winning on Saturday.

He said the team is in a "good place" despite their most recent game being the 35-7 thrashing from the Springboks at Twickenham, a result he believes people shouldn't read too much in to.

Injury shatters Muntz’s World Cup dream

The Fiji Rugby Union has officially confirmed this.

This unfortunate setback means that he will be unable to participate any further in the tournament

Teti Tela is set to step in and take the field against Wales on Monday.

Muntz, who made his debut for Fiji earlier this year, had been in exceptional form and played a pivotal role in Fiji’s impressive 30-22 victory over England just two weeks ago.

Coach Simon Raiwalui said its most devastating for them as a group and for Muntz.

Concerns over Samu Kerevi as Wallabies prepare for World Cup opener

Ahead of the Wallabies' biggest session of the week, in the lead-up to their first game against Georgia on Sunday morning (AEST), Kerevi was not involved in the warm-up.

The Fiji-born star was the only player from the 33-man Wallabies squad who was not on the field in the 15-minute window for reporters to take photos and video.

He was later seen in a dugout without his boots on as his teammates got the session underway.

France will 'trounce' All Blacks in opener says former French international

Magne, who was a part of the famous 1999 side that upset New Zealand in the semi-final, believed that there was only three real contenders for this year’s World Cup.

He predicted a “tough” opening game for the All Blacks as a “humiliation” could be on the cards similar to what France dealt to England during the Six Nations.

“To me, the Big Three of this World Cup is France, SA and Ireland,” said former France flanker Olivier Magne in the columns of Midi Olympique.

“I am especially worried about this New Zealand team.