Kolinisau eyes discipline in Cape Town – FBC News
[Photo Credit: Fiji Rugby] The Fiji men’s 7s side is bracing for another tough outing as the Cape Town 7s kicks off tonight, with head coach Osea Kolinisau stressing the need for consistency and discipline. After last week’s semifinal exit in Dubai, Kolinisau says the team is not taking the South African leg lightly, with Fiji once again drawn into a challenging pool that includes powerhouses South Africa and New Zealand, alongside an improving Great Britain outfit. He says while much of the focus often falls on the traditional heavyweights, Great Britain cannot be overlooked after an impressive showing last weekend, despite fielding several new players. Article continues after advertisement Kolinisau adds that the Flying Fijians have spent the week working hard to address key weaknesses from Dubai, particularly in discipline, one-on-one tackling and on-field communication, as they look to tighten their performance in Cape Town. Fiji will take on South Africa in their first game tonight at 10.44pm followed by Great Britain at 1.38 am tomorrow morning before wrapping up their pool games against New Zealand at 5.19am. You can watch these games LIVE on FBC Sports. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Walker eyes sharper execution in Cape Town – FBC News
File photo Fijiana 7s head coach Richard Walker says the side is focused on tightening key areas as they prepare for this weekend’s Cape Town Sevens. After a strong start in Dubai, Fiji finished fourth overall, showing promise but also exposing moments that need refining. “Yes, last week, we worked on a couple of things from last season, which was starting our pool games quickly, because sometimes we start well in our first game, then we drop off in that second game, and then we have to fight back in that third game.” Article continues after advertisement He added that he was pleased with how the team maintained momentum through their opening two matches, but noted that lapses against New Zealand proved costly. “A couple of lapses in concentration for that third game against New Zealand… and as we know, New Zealand’s a class team, and they just executed on a couple of our mistakes.” Fiji still pushed through to the semifinals, eventually falling to Australia in another tight battle. Walker said the team continues to create opportunities but must become more clinical when it matters most. The Fijiana 7s will take on USA in their first match at 8.44pm tonight, before taking on Great Britain at 12am and will wrap up their pool against New Zealand at 3.48am tomorrow Morning. Fiji’s games will air LIVE on FBC Sports. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Kolinisau demands sharper defence as Fiji target maximum points – FBC News
[file photo] Fiji Airways Fiji men’s 7s head coach Osea Kolinisau says the team must lift its defensive standards and maintain consistency as they shift their focus to this weekend’s Cape Town Sevens. Reflecting on their Dubai campaign, Kolinisau said Fiji’s performances showed promise but also exposed critical areas requiring immediate improvement. “We’ve got to try and get maximum points out of every game. We thank the boys for the effort,” he said.” Fiji reached the semifinals in Dubai but let a potential win slip against New Zealand in the dying seconds. “We made it to the semifinal against New Zealand and we had the game in hand and lost it in the last 40 seconds… just a misread. We had a lot of opportunities, but something I wasn’t happy about is our tackles… we had a lot of missed tackles and that’s something we’ve talked about this week.” He said Fiji cannot afford slow starts or allowing opponents to dictate scoreboard pressure. “We started the game really well but we can’t let teams go ahead two or three times and we’re playing catch up rugby. We want to make sure that we start well and maintain the lead so we keep pressure on the other team.” Despite the semifinal heartbreak, Kolinisau praised the team’s response to defeat. Fiji bounced back to beat France in their final match and secure crucial series points. “It’s not easy to find that mental fortitude after you’ve lost the main semifinal… but the boys came out and fought for the points and gave all they had.” However, discipline remains a major concern after Fiji picked up two red cards in Dubai. Fiji will take on South Africa in their first game tonight at 10.44pm followed by Great Britain at 1.38 am tomorrow morning before wrapping up their pool games against New Zealand at 5.19am. You can watch these games LIVE on FBC Sports Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Springboks’ Etzebeth suspended 12 weeks for eye-gouging incident – FBC News
Source: BBC Eben Etzebeth, South Africa’s double World Cup-winning second row, has been banned for 12 weeks for an eye gouge against Wales. The 34-year-old was seen to make contact with the left eye of Alex Mann with his thumb in the Springboks’ 73-0 win over Wales last Saturday. Etzebeth had come on as a second-half substitute in Cardiff but was shown a straight red card in the 79th minute by French referee Luc Ramos. Article continues after advertisement It was his first red card in 141 internationals for South Africa and means he will miss matches for his club Sharks, who play in the United Rugby Championship and European Champions Cup, until the end of March 2026. ‘It didn’t look good’ – Erasmus on Etzebeth red card An independent disciplinary panel met on Tuesday, but took an extra 24 hours deliberation to decide on a sanction. Led by Christopher Quinlan KC, the panel found that contact with the eye was intentional and a “mid-range” entry point of 18 weeks was appropriate. Mitigating factors including the player’s previous record meant that was reduced to 12 weeks. Etzebeth was the third South African forward to be shown a red card in four matches this autumn after Franco Mostert, against Italy, and Lood de Jaeger against France. Mostert’s red was later rescinded by a disciplinary panel and downgraded to a yellow. World Rugby’s sanctions for eye-gouging – described as “intentional contact with the eyes” – run from a ban ranging from 12 weeks at the low end, to a maximum of four years. Bans for “reckless contact with the eyes” can range from six weeks to four years. Bans for “contact with the eye area” range from four weeks to one year. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Ian Thorpe set for first major yacht race – FBC News
Source: Reuters Five-times Olympic swimming gold medallist Ian Thorpe said he has joined the crew of supermaxi LawConnect as it chases a third consecutive victory in the Sydney-Hobart yacht race. Thorpe, 43, will make his debut on Friday in the Cabbage Tree Island race, the final major offshore event ahead of the 80th Sydney to Hobart, which begins on December 26 and covers approximately 630 nautical miles (1,170 km). “I’ve spent my life in and around water, but this is a completely different test, both mentally and physically,” Thorpe, who won three gold medals at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and two more in Athens four years later, said in a statement. Article continues after advertisement “Joining the LawConnect team is an opportunity to push myself, learn something new, and be part of an incredible Australian sporting tradition.” LawConnect, one of the ultra-fast 100-foot supermaxis competing for the leading position, is aiming to defend its title after securing victory in last year’s race, which was marred by the deaths of two sailors. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Friends United thumps Lami Rangers in opening match – FBC News
Source: FFA / Facebook Friends United opened their National Club Championship campaign in style this afternoon, thumping Lami Rangers 7–1 in the opening match at the Fiji Football Association headquarters in Suva. Captain-coach Nitan Kumar credited strong communication for the dominant performance and praised his players for their hard work and discipline. Kumar says the emphatic win gives his side the confidence and momentum they need as they push for qualification to the next round. Article continues after advertisement “Just really proud of how the boys performed today, but there’s still a lot of areas we need to work on before our next game. Our only aim is to qualify for the next round, and we will take each game at a time.” However, he adds that despite the impressive start, there are still areas to improve, and the team will focus on taking each game as it comes. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Savu poised ahead of Oceania Cup – FBC News
Source: FIBA The Fiji U17 women’s national team has arrived in Samoa with renewed confidence, strong leadership, and a talented roster determined to elevate the nation’s presence in women’s basketball. Following a year of breakthrough performances at regional tournaments, the squad is focused on carrying that momentum into the Oceania stage. At the centre of this campaign is one of Fiji’s rising stars, Makaefa Savu, a player who first picked up basketball “for fun” and has since emerged as one of the country’s brightest young prospects. Article continues after advertisement Savu’s rapid rise through international competition has cemented her as a key figure in the U17 lineup. “It was scary playing in the Melanesian Cup, going up against senior players, but it was also thrilling. I’m grateful for that experience. Now, I feel privileged to lead the girls who are representing Fiji for the first time.” In 2025 alone, she shone as part of the gold-medal-winning women’s team at the FIBA Melanesian Cup and took part in Australia’s She Hoops Leadership and Confidence Program, gaining invaluable experience. These achievements have helped shape her into a poised, mature leader for a youthful Fiji side. Heading into the tournament, Savu is focused on composure, growth, and strong mental preparation. The FIBA U17 Oceania Cup and FIBA U17 Women’s Oceania Cup are being hosted by the Samoa National Basketball Association in Apia from December 8–13. The top two teams will qualify for next year’s FIBA U18 Asia Cup and FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Manchester United held to draw by West Ham at Old Trafford – FBC News
Source: BBC “Frustrated, angry, that is it.” Ruben Amorim was summing up his own feelings in his first answer at the post-match news conference following Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with West Ham on Thursday. But he could have been talking for the whole United fanbase, including those who booed his team off at Old Trafford. Article continues after advertisement He certainly was talking for former captain Roy Keane, who used similar terminology to sum up his feelings about the current United side. “The word everyone will be using is frustration,” Keane told Sky Sports at the end of another game United led with a significant leap up the Premier League looming, only to concede late and end up with a point. “I wouldn’t trust or believe in this team. There are more goals [in them] but defensively and in midfield there are still huge question marks.” Amorim sounded unusually agitated as he delivered his words, although he insisted he was calm. He said there would be no repeat of his tirade after the home defeat by Brighton in January, when he cut his hand and broke a TV in the dressing room. Instead, he will wait and address the situation at Carrington on Friday, believing it is counter-productive to speak to his players when emotions around a game are still high. Amorim knew what had gone wrong, though. He knew why his side had failed to hold the second-half lead given to them by Diogo Dalot. And he knew why Soungoutou Magassa responded quickest to Noussair Mazraoui’s goal-line clearance from Jarrod Bowen’s flicked header at a corner to score his first goal in English football in the 83rd minute. West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo said it was a “deserved” equaliser for the team third-bottom of the table, with just two points on the road since their only away win, at Nottingham Forest, in August. “It happened with a long ball,” said Amorim. “They win the second ball against three guys. “Second balls sometimes are tactical things. We try to adjust with the players we have. “In the final minutes, the ball was far from the opponent. We cannot let a team that is so much taller than us have a corner.” The problem for Amorim is that a pattern is developing. Keane highlighted it, saying: “One minute, you think they are making progress, they could move fifth, but they don’t get the job done. They look frightened to get the job done.” At Nottingham Forest on 1 November, victory would have taken United second. They were leading and ended up needing an equaliser to draw. A week later, they had the same aim at Tottenham and the outcome was identical, with the equaliser coming in stoppage time. Immediately after the international break, a Champions League spot was on offer if victory could be achieved against Everton. They lost, at home, against 10 men. Now this, seven minutes from fifth place. They are back in eighth, in the middle of 11 clubs separated by four points. No-one knows if they are good, average or poor. The consensus is United have made progress, although from last season’s 15th place, with more than £200m spent, that would not be so hard. In October, United won three games in a row and Amorim was manager of the month. Now their run is one win in five. The worry is they are going backwards. Amorim rejects that notion. “It’s not going backwards,” he said. “We had some moments. That can happen. “You were talking about when we had the run and [saying that] we were perfect, when we were not. We are inconsistent. “If you look at the goal, after 83 minutes there is a long ball and we have everything under control. We must do better.” United go to bottom club Wolves on Monday. Yet again, they will play the final game of a Premier League match round, and yet again there will be a target to aim for, although which each failure it is getting lower. They surely will not fail again against the team who have beaten no-one? Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Rassie warns against those betting for ABs against Wallabies at RWC – FBC News
[Source: Rugby Pass] Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has issued a warning against those backing the All Blacks to beat Australia in their Pool A clash at the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Despite New Zealand’s 11-match winning streak over the Wallabies and their higher world ranking, Erasmus says history proves that home-ground advantage can tilt the biggest battles. He says he thinks people underestimate the power of a home nation, and reminded fans of South Africa’s shock 1995 triumph and France’s surge in 2023. Article continues after advertisement He adds that it is a big judgment call to just say the All Blacks are going through. Australia will host New Zealand in what is already being billed as the most anticipated pool match of the tournament. With travel demands, jet lag management and tight turnarounds all magnified in a World Cup, Erasmus believes the Wallabies will be far from easy beats. Erasmus, whose Springboks could face the Pool A winner in the quarter-finals, says both southern giants will face a tough path. “Playing the host in their pool, New Zealand’s going to have a tough time, as we will, to get to that game against us.” Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Evans reflects on Drua highs as tenure ends – FBC News
Swire Shipping Fijian Drua CEO Mark Evans. [File Photo] Swire Shipping Fijian Drua CEO Mark Evans says some of the biggest moments of his three-year tenure were forged under stadium lights, in front of packed home crowds and against some of Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific’s giants. Evans, who is in his final week with the club, arrived in September 2022 at a time when the Drua had hosted only two home matches and had yet to complete a full season in Fiji. Three years later, he says the club’s rise and the bond with its fans has defined his experience. Article continues after advertisement “That first win against the Crusaders took a bit of beating. That was my first home game, and it was great. You tend to enjoy the ones you win there’s no such thing as a bad win.” Another standout was last year’s victory over the Chiefs, a result he says captured the energy and belief the Drua have built at home. He also highlighted the historic women’s semi-final played under lights, describing it as “a genuine sell-out with every single ticket gone, and a great night, despite the result.” Off the field, Evans says the foundations laid for Fiji’s rugby future are among the achievements he is most proud of. The launch of youth academies targeting younger age groups than Fiji traditionally has and the establishment of the Drua Foundation mark what he sees as investment in long-term success. Evans also spoke warmly about his time living in Fiji, saying he and his wife made it a priority to see the country from Savusavu and Taveuni to Ovalau and the highlands. As he prepares to depart, Evans says the journey has been memorable and deeply rewarding. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.