Rugby World Cup

Captain Kolisi included in Springboks World Cup squad

Kolisi had major knee surgery in April but South Africa are confident he will be fit in time for their first pool game against Scotland in Marseille on 10 Sept.

There are 12 World Cup debutants but the Boks kept the bulk of the side that won the tournament in Japan four years ago.

But Am, who twisted his knee in a warm-up test against Argentina on Saturday, and Pollard, who has a long running calf injury, were among the notable omissions when the squad was unveiled at an elaborate televised ceremony.

Flying Fijians named for 2023 Rugby World Cup

The surprise inclusion is prop Jone Koroiduadua.

Ben Volavola has missed out along with Vilimoni Botitu, Seta Tamanivalu, Joseva Tamani and Meli Tuni.

     

Yato leaves Flying Fijians camp

Coach Simon Raiwalui has confirmed that Yato removed himself from the camp earlier this week.

The Nadroga man trained with the team at the Sigatoka Sand Dunes last weekend and was part of their training session on Monday.

Raiwalui said Yato left the squad on his own accord.

‘He had great preparation and in the past weeks he was an outstanding leadership, leading the boys from and unfortunately there was a situation and he chose to leave the camp and I respect that.’

Kerevi insists he's not the answer as Wallabies search for a new outside centre

The only problem is, the class act seemingly best equipped to replace Ikitau at outside centre in the two coming Bledisloe Cup matches against the All Blacks doesn’t want to play there.

Samu Kerevi first burst onto the Test scene in 2016 as a dynamic No.13 and reluctant No.12.

Now it’s the opposite, and it looked that way after Kerevi shifted from inside to outside centre after Ikitau was injured while scoring Australia’s opening try in Saturday night’s 34-31 Rugby Championship loss to Argentina.

Ireland captain Johnny Sexton cops three-match ban for abusing match officials

The 37-year-old first five-eighth was charged with misconduct after engaging in a heated exchange with match officials after Leinster’s Heineken Champions Cup final defeat to La Rochelle in May.

An independent disciplinary committee ruled Sexton’s behaviour “confrontational and aggressive towards and disrespectful of the match officials”.

All Blacks repay the faith

After two emphatic wins to kick off World Cup year, many questions surrounding the side have been answered.

It was a tough 2022 for Ian Foster and his side, but the slump appears to be over.

Foster said following heavy scrutiny last season, there was nothing better as an All Blacks team than to repay the public's faith.

"It's very satisfying, it's a step in the right direction. We've set ourselves some clear objectives about the big rocks in our game that we really want to get right and we're getting them right at the moment."

Flying Fijians promised bonuses at Cup

Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, a former Flying Fijians himself, told the squad members and management on Taveuni on Thursday that the bonus payment will be paid to the players at the end of their World Cup campaign.

FBC Sports said that Rabuka confirmed the funds will not come from government but from "a friend of Fiji".

Rabuka, who was attending the funeral of former Fijian government minister the late Ratu Talemo Ratakele, visisted the squad at their Welagi village camp.

Sevens takes a hit, but Fiji safeguard Rugby World Cup bonuses

Mazey said the FRU had even budgeted for the Flying Fijians to reach the final of the tournament in France, but there was bad news of budget cuts for the double Olympic Games gold medal-winning sevens squad.

Speaking at a media conference at Rugby House, Mazey said: “We have only been here a month and there is so much work for us to do in getting everything here in order, so we are asking the people of Fiji to bear with us.

“We know that many of you have disliked us, or do not like us, but we are doing everything we can to get things in order.

Valetini, Koroibete, Vunivalu and Nawaqanitawase part of Wallabies squad

Nine Fijians are part of the squad with four in the rehab and train on squad groups.

Jones has named a 34-player squad for the Rugby Championship which also includes Rob Valetini, Marika Koroibete, Suliasi Vunivalu and Mark Nawaqanitawase.

Samu Kerevi is in the rehab group with Langi Gleeson.

The train on squad have the likes of Filipo Daugunu, halfback Issak Fines-Leleiwasa and Serupepeli Uru.

Australia’s first Rugby Championship game is against South Africa at 3.05 am on the 9th of July.

     

¬Rookies, a bolter and quiet confidence among All Blacks

Foster was back at his old stomping ground at Te Awamutu Rugby Club for Sunday night's squad announcement and there were plenty of cheers when the five debutants were named, especially the Chiefs players, loose forward Samipeni Finau and outside back Emoni Narawa.

The other uncapped players are the Hurricanes halfback Cam Roigard, who takes the place of the veteran Brad Weber, and two Crusaders, prop Tamaiti Williams and midfielder Dallas McLeod.

The latter's inclusion was a surprise for many, but he gets a shot with regulars David Havili and Quinn Tupaea out injured.