Reds

Soon-to-be-Wallabies eligible All Black Hodgman, Samoan international Toomaga-Allen sign with Reds

Hodgman's signing is a major boost for Australian Rugby, eligible for the Wallabies from November 2024.

The Blues prop debuted against the Wallabies in 2020, going on to play four Tests, and is eligible for Australia through his father.

“I’m looking forward to moving over to Australia with my family and starting new with the Reds," he said in a statement

"Change is good but also comes with its challenges and that excites me. 

"A new facility, new coach and a playing group that has been together for a while allows me to bring my experience and just be me. 

Fijiana Drua overcome odds to defend Super W title

Their second success in their first two years in the competition came after off-field money issues that at one point left them locked out of the restaurant at their Queensland accommodation over an unpaid bill reports Reuters.

"It hasn't been the easiest of years, we've been through so much," Drua captain Bitila Tawake said as she fought back tears, before leading her squad in the singing of the Fijian hymn "We have overcome".

Super Rugby Pacific: Moana Pasifika fall short in Apia clash

In a ten-try thriller, the visitors came out on top after 80 minutes of high-intensity rugby in front of more than 15,000 home supporters in the much-anticipated Super Rugby clash, as the hosts turned the heat on until the final whistle.

PMN News reports the result means the Reds ended their three-game losing streak, while Moana Pasifika will have to continue to seek their inaugural win in the 2023 season.

​Moana Pasifika coach Aaron Mauger said he was happy with the way the side played despite the loss.

"They showed the fans that they can be among the big boys.

Partisan crowd will roar on Moana Pasifika in Apia

Head coach Aaron Mauger is counting on the noise of the partisan crowd to get his players over the line in a historic match, the first Moana Pasiifka has played in any of its base countries.

RNZ Pacific reports Mauger hopes that home advantage will give his warriors their first win of the season.

"It has been exciting. The fans are excited. The players are excited," he told RNZ Pacific.

"We have had a good week [in Apia] and the players are focused on the job at hand."

Moana Pasifika officially arrive in Samoa

A welcoming reception was hosted for the team by Samoa's Minister of Tourism, Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster at the STA Fale last night..

The team will host its first ever match in Samoa against the Queensland Reds on 14 April at Apia Park.

"I’m sure there’s plenty of excitement building in Samoa for the game on Friday," said Head Coach Aaron Mauger.

"The team is very excited to play in Samoa, especially our local players who will be able to introduce the team to our aiga in Samoa.

Reds hold off late Drua comeback

The Reds winger earned a crucial penalty for the host to hold on to a 27-24 win over the Drua.

The Drua could have bagged a five pointer just five minutes into the match but Elia Canakaivata lost the ball just meters short of the tryline.

However, they still had the advantage and Frank Lomani nailed the penalty for a 3-0 lead.

Playing inside Fiji’s 22, James O’Connor puts the ball up high with which Suliasi Vunivalu won the aerial battle and kept the ball alive before being taken into touch.

Reds lose in Super Rugby Pacific

The 2021 Super Rugby AU Grand Final rematch didn't disappoint with a tight, physical 80-minutes of rugby. The Brumbies came out on top in a hard-fought fixture, despite the Reds scoring two tries-to-one.

The game came down to the wire once again, with the Brumbies holding on in the final minutes to break a three-game losing streak against the Queenslanders.

First five-eighth James O'Connor earned the Reds their first five-pointer of the night with a deceiving right-foot step and show and go close to the line to make it 7-3 in the 26th minute.

Walsh, Mulitalo out and Coates in; Blues good to go

With centre duo Tom Trbojevic and Latrell Mitchell running amok, and Origin debutants Jarome Luai and Brian To'o putting their stamp on the interstate contest in memorable fashion, the Blues were unstoppable in racking up a 50-6 win in game one.

The Blues were virtually unaffected by Queensland closing its borders to residents from Sydney's COVID-19 hotspots and continued Origin camp in Kingscliff on the northern NSW.

The NSW squad headed north on Monday and was COVID tested before entering camp.

Disruption for Wallabies as code convert Suliasi Vunivalu unavailable for mid-year tests

Vunivalu hobbled off the field in Queensland’s 31-24 Super Rugby Trans-Tasman loss to the Blues last weekend and Wallabies coach Dave Rennie says the injury is significant enough to rule him out of the three-Test series against the French next month.

“Obviously a reasonably serious hamstring injury,” Rennie told AAP.

“That’s going to see him miss the French series and we’ll know a little bit more detail beyond that but he certainly won’t be available for France.”

Highlanders move Rebels match to Sydney

The two teams were scheduled to meet in Queenstown on Sunday.

But a Covid-19 outbreak in Victoria this week, and a lockdown announced on Thursday, meant that was no longer possible after the New Zealand government extended their pause on quarantine-free travel from the state.

The Rebels had flown to Sydney on Wednesday, in the hope of then transferring to Queenstown.

But New Zealand's Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said the team were covered by the travel pause because they were in Melbourne when it came into affect on Tuesday night.