Rugby World Cup

With a quarter-final on the horizon in Marseille on October 15, there might be a temptation for the already qualified English to sit back and let their final Pool D game unfold without fighting fully in the collisions.

However, assistant coach Wigglesworth has explained that England won’t shy away from confrontation despite the run that saw them suffer three red cards in four matches, including the dismissal of Tom Curry less than three minutes into the Rugby World Cup opener versus Argentina on September 9.

Fiji has so far conceded 24 penalties, averaging eight per game and in defense they’ve only been penalized five times.

In turnovers, the Flying Fijians have won the most per game and their stats stand at 8.3 with 5 of those coming from the breakdown, the best by any team.

The national side is the only team to still have 100% scrum success, however, they’re not as good in their lineout as they’ve lost the most per game which is four and joint with Ireland for just sixth-best success rate at 78%.

Coach Ian Foster made nine changes to the starting side that thrashed Italy 96-17 at the same venue last weekend, resting regular starters such as Ardie Savea, Aaron Smith and Rieko Ioane ahead of the quarter-finals.

"It is a short turnaround from our last game against Italy but being able to play in Lyon for back-to-back games has helped with our preparation," Foster said.

"We are confident in the direction we are heading so it's now about putting out another solid performance and growing our game."

Six places in the last eight are still to play for and it’ll be determined this weekend.

Namibia, Tonga, Romania, Georgia, Portugal and Chile are no longer in contention for a top eight finish.

12 teams including the Fiji Water Flying Fijians will now battle for the six remaining quarter-final spots.

France, New Zealand, Italy, Uruguay, Scotland, Ireland, South Africa, Australia, Japan, Argentina and Samoa are the other nations that have a chance of qualifying.

This has been confirmed by Tuisova’s father, Isikeli Ratulevu to Fijivillage,  who has been making the necessary preparations for the funeral in Votua, Ba today.

Ratulevu says Tuisova was informed about his son’s death just hours before the game.

His son passed away after long-term illness.

The Flying Fijians play Portugal in their final pool match at 7am next Monday.

For Fiji to make it to the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals they only need 1 point.

Tries from Cobus Reinach, Canan Moodie and Deon Fourie gave the Springboks a 21-8 half-time lead, while Jesse Kriel, Willie le Roux, Marco van Staden and Kwagga Smith added second-half scores. All seven were converted by fly-half Handre Pollard and his replacement Manie Libbok.

Ben Tameifuna, Fine Inisi and Patrick Pellegrini responded for Tonga, who made the defending champions work hard for their victory.

Winger Selesitino Ravutaumada was the lone change in the Flying Fijians' starting lineup, while Samu Tawake was named on the bench.

Ravutaumada replaced Jiuta Wainiqolo and Tawake came in for Mesake Doge.

Both Wainiqolo and Doge were injured and have been rested.

Fiji head coach Simon Raiwalui kept 14 players in the starting lineup from the team that beat Australia two weekends ago in Saint Etienne, insisting on consistency.

He said Georgia will not be easy, and they have named their team accordingly.

Fly-half Handre Pollard returning for his first game of Rugby World Cup 2023 in a completely overhauled backline.

 Deon Fourie starting his first test at hooker and Duan Vermuelen starting at openside flanker, with the versatile Grant Williams on the right-wing. 

Namibia captain Johan Deysel has been given an effective five match suspension for his dangerous tackle on Antoine Dupont that left the France skipper with a facial fracture,

Former All Black forward Vaea Fifita has been ruled out of the rest of Tonga's campaign after copping a four match ban for dangerously charging into a ruck during the Pacific Islander's loss to Scotland.

Fifita's shoulder collided with Scottish first-five Finn Russell's head in the clumsy cleanout late in the game.

The pressure was on Gregor Townsend’s side after losing their first game to South Africa and then seeing Ireland defeat the Boks on Saturday, a scenario that left them with no margin for error and in need of big victories from their remaining fixtures.

The Scots kept their composure, however, and showed their attacking quality to get themselves a foothold in the top-heavy pool B by recording a 45-17 win over Tonga, with their seven tries all scored by different players.