Ravouvou scores in Bristol win – FBC News
Kalaveti Ravouvou [Source: Bristol Bears Rugby/ Facebook] Flying Fijians pair, Kalaveti Ravouvou and Viliame Mata, played crucial roles in Bristol Bears fourth win in the Gallagher Premiership in England this morning. The Bears handed Northampton Saints their first loss of the season following a big 46-12 win. An irrepressible Bears decimated the second-placed Saints, scoring five unanswered tries in the first half with Ravouvou scoring one in the game as well. Article continues after advertisement The Nadroga man also set up their fourth try through his opportunistic effort that gave the Bears a 35-0 lead at half time. Following a Northampton scrum, flyhalf, Fin Smith was hammered in a tackle allowing Ravouvou to gather the ball and outpace everyone to score Bristol’s bonus-point try. Meanwhile, former Scotland under 18 and 20 rep, Amena Caqusau, who signed for Northampton this year was on the wing today. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Fiji to face NZ in semifinal – FBC News
[File Photo] Defending Dubai 7s champions, the Fiji Airways Fijian 7s will face New Zealand in the semifinal at 10:22pm tonight. This is after Fiji finished as runners-up in pool A behind France. France defeated Fiji 24-19 in their final pool game this morning. Article continues after advertisement Joseva Talacolo put Fiji on the board first with a try following some patient build-up from inside their own territory. France got their act together shortly after with a try from a lineout set piece to lock it up at 7-all. The French extended their lead to 12-7 with a try before the breather after stretching Fiji in defense. The national team was punished again for a loose pass which the opposition turned it into another converted try. France utilized their possession and were clinical in both defense and attack. Two successive tries to Jerry Matana and Apete Narogo were not enough as France held on to a 24-19 victory. Fiji defeated South Africa 28-10 and Argentina 28-19. Meanwhile, the Fijiana meet Australia at 9:30pm in the Cup semifinal. Both games will air live on FBC TV. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Fijiana makes semifinal despite loss – FBC News
[Source: themercury.com] Despite going down 31-12 to New Zealand in its final Dubai 7s pool game, the Fiji Airways Fijiana will still make the semifinals. Fijiana finished as runners-up in pool A and will play the winner of pool B at 9:34pm tonight. Jorja Miller broke the Fijianas’ defense in the first minute to put New Zealand in front 5-nil. Article continues after advertisement However, the lead was cancelled when Lavena Cavuru took a quick tap outside her 22 from a penalty, beat Miller with a right step and ran away to score. The Fijiana made two brilliant clean breaks but ran out of support with ball carriers isolated when caught. New Zealand scored two successive tries for a 19-7 lead at the break. Miller was again beaten by Reapi Ulunisau just after the breather as Fijiana got back into the contest, trailing 12-19. But Miller made amends with another solo effort from deep in her half to put her side further in front before the Kiwis scored another. The Fijiana won their first two games after defeating USA 19-7 and France 28-19. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Ulunisau hat-trick in Fijiana win – FBC News
Reapi Ulunisau [File Photo] The Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s have maintained their winning run in pool play in Dubai after beating France 28-19 with Reapi Ulunisau scoring three tries in the first half. Fiji led 28-nil before France slowly worked their way back into the game. Our Fijiana defended well in the first three minutes and stuck together when they had their backs against the wall. Article continues after advertisement The Fijians went 90 meters with Ulunisau finishing it off following some brave defensive effort. Ulunisau exposed the French again with speed from a scrum set piece and ran around two defenders to score. The Olympic bronze medalist from Tokyo 2020, Ulunisau, was not done as she picked up a great line and was put through the gap by Lavena Cavuru to complete her first half hat-trick. Fiji boxing champion, Sera Bolatini, added another try after the break as Atelaite Buna who could have scored herself decided to give it to the Levuka lass to score. France replied with a runaway try and got their confidence back when they sneaked in again. Trailing 28-14 with two minutes to play and a big shift in momentum, France scored again. Fijiana earlier defeated USA 19-7 in their first game. The Fijiana wrap up their group game against New Zealand at 1:27am tomorrow. You can watch both games live on FBC TV. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Buna scores on debut, Fijiana beat USA – FBC News
File Photo The Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s side has started its HSBC SVNS Dubai 7s campaign with a 19-7 win over USA. Fiji won after scoring three tries to one with debutant and former Fijian Drua women star, Atelaite Buna, introducing herself in the Series with a brilliant individual try to seal the win in the dying seconds of the game. The national team was dealt a blow in the 3rd minute when winger Asilika Qalo copped a yellow card for a head contact but USA failed to capitalise. Article continues after advertisement Playmaker Lavena Cavuru drew first blood for the Fijiana despite a player down. Cavuru used her skills and footwork to skip away from a defender and ran away to score. The USA team replied with a converted try to speedster Tahna Wifley before the break to lead 7-5. Qalo made up for her mistake in the first half beating two US players before sprinting away and dotted down for their second. It was tight affair in the second half before Buna sliced through the defence and ran home for a 70 meter try to seal the win for Fiji. The Fijiana play France at 9:59 tonight before wrapping up its group game against New Zealand at 1:27am tomorrow. You can watch both games live on FBC TV. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
New ball trials for women’s rugby at HSBC SVNS – FBC News
[Source: World Rugby Sevens] This weekend’s women’s rugby at the HSBC SVNS Dubai 7s will trial the new ball. World Rugby is expanding trials of a new ball for women’s rugby to this years’ Sevens Series following positive player feedback from trials that include under 18 and under 20 international competitions, domestic competitions in Spain and Colombia and elite domestic club training sessions. The new bespoke size 4.5 ball has been developed in partnership with Gilbert to be the same weight as a size 5 whilst maintaining the advanced aerodynamic and technological features. Article continues after advertisement In a statement, World Rugby says they’re committed to developing a women’s game designed in its own right, rather than as an imitation of the men’s game, and has trialed a smaller ball at a variety of different levels within the sport. Global sports such as basketball, cricket, athletics and football already use equipment specifically designed for female players. Chair of World Rugby’s Women’s High Performance Committee, Melodie Robinson says they’re supporting women’s rugby in forging its own path to suit their players, not just following the history of the men’s game. Meanwhile, our Fiji Airways Fijiana plays USA tonight at 7:20pm followed by France at 9:59pm then New Zealand at 1:27am tomorrow. The Fiji men’s side will face a tough pool run, starting with Argentina at 9.10 tonight, then South Africa at 12.16am on tomorrow, before rounding out their group stage against France at 4.12am. You can watch all the Fiji 7s and Fijiana games live on FBC TV. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Fiji braces for Dubai 7s – FBC News
[Source: World Rugby Sevens] Fiji Airways men’s 7s coach Osea Kolinisau says the team has narrowed its focus to one match at a time in the Dubai starting tonight. With Fiji grouped alongside Argentina, South Africa and France, Kolinisau has reminded his players that every pool match now carries the intensity of a quarter-final. He says they can’t afford to underestimate any opponent in what he describes as a tough and unforgiving series landscape. Article continues after advertisement “There’s no running away or there’s no hiding away from pool or there’s no easy game where you can let up and say oh we have an easy game and I told the boys there’s no easy game anymore.” A major portion of the team’s preparation has centered on improving their defense, sharpening kick-off contests, and ensuring every phase of the game is executed with accuracy. Kolinisau wants Fiji to maximize possession when they have the ball and stay connected and disciplined in defense when they don’t. He says the goal is to ensure the team performs strongly across set pieces, attack and defense, believing that if the squad sticks to its structures and applies what it has worked on throughout training, it will put them in a strong position as the season begins. The Fiji men’s side will face a tough pool run, starting with Argentina at 9.10 tonight, then South Africa at 12.16am on tomorrow, before rounding out their group stage against France at 4.12am. Our Fijiana plays USA tonight as well at 7:20pm followed by France at 9:59pm then New Zealand at 1:27am tomorrow. You can watch all the Fiji 7s and Fijiana games live on FBC TV. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
India’s Sharma most expensive player in WPL auction, Aussie skipper Healy goes unsold – FBC News
[Source: Reuters] All-rounder Deepti Sharma, whose player-of-the-tournament performance helped India win the World Cup earlier this month, fetched the highest price at the Women’s Premier League (WPL) auction, while Australia captain Alyssa Healy, one of the marquee players up for grabs, went unsold. UP Warriorz used a “right to match” option to equal Delhi Capitals’ bid of 32 million rupees ($358,000) to re-sign 28-year-old Sharma on Thursday, as five franchises spent a total of 408 million rupees ($4.5 million) to sign 67 players ahead of the fourth edition of the Twenty20 league. New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr was the second most expensive player at the auction held in New Delhi, snapped up for 30 million rupees by defending champions Mumbai Indians, for whom she has played since 2023. Article continues after advertisement Mumbai, two-time winners of the Indian T20 league, have retained five players, the maximum number of pre-auction retentions allowed by the WPL, including India captain Harmanpreet Kaur, as they looked to keep their core intact ahead of the title defence. But wicketkeeper-batter Healy, who had played for UP last year, was the shock of the evening as she was the only one among the eight marquee players to go unsold. UP also splurged on two more former Delhi players, picking up Indian all-rounder Shikha Pandey for 24 million rupees and Australian top-order batter Meg Lanning for 19 million rupees. New Zealand all-rounder Sophie Devine, who skipped the WPL’s 2025 edition, was the subject of an intense bidding war involving three teams including her former side Royal Challengers Bengaluru, before being secured by Gujarat Giants for 20 million rupees. Delhi, who have lost three WPL finals in a row, were restrained with their bidding after retaining five players, including Indian internationals Jemimah Rodrigues and Shafali Verma. They signed Shree Charani and Chinelle Henry for 13 million rupees each, and also picked up South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt for 11 million rupees. The WPL’s 2026 edition is set to take place from January 9 to February 5 in Navi Mumbai and Vadodara. The final will take place two days before India co-hosts the men’s T20 World Cup with Sri Lanka. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Atletico fined for ‘racist’ behaviour of fans during Arsenal game – FBC News
[Source: Reuters] UEFA have fined Atletico Madrid 30,000 euros ($34,749) and handed down a suspended one-match ban for travelling fans due to the “racist and discriminatory” behaviour of some supporters during last month’s 4-0 Champions League loss to Arsenal. European soccer’s governing body fined the Spanish club an additional 10,000 euros after some of their fans threw objects during the game at Arsenal’s Emirates stadium. The ban on selling tickets to supporters for an away match was suspended for a probationary period of one year, it added. Article continues after advertisement Atletico return to Champions League action at Dutch side PSV Eindhoven on December 10. They are 12th in the table with nine points from five games. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Drua boost fan access with $2 match streams – FBC News
Drua CEO Mark Evans [left] with Vodafone Fiji’s Regional Chief Marketing Officer, Rajnesh Prasad [Source: Fijian Drua/Facebook] The Swire shipping Fijian Drua announced today that Vodafone Play will become the club’s exclusive digital streaming platform for the next three years. The expanded deal means fans across Fiji can stream every Drua match live on their phones, tablets, or computers for just $2 per game. For the first time, that $2 access will also include full match replays for the entire season and a 20-minute Mini-Match version of every game. Article continues after advertisement All content will be available through the Vodafone Play app, offering flexible, device-friendly viewing. It also marks the first dedicated digital streaming product built specifically around Drua matches, complementing the Free-to-Air and Pay-Tv components announced earlier this week as part of the club’s hybrid broadcast model. Drua CEO Mark Evans says the strengthened agreement reflects the shared commitment to innovation and accessibility between the two organizations. “Vodafone Fiji has been a tremendous partner for the Drua, and we are delighted to see the relationship not only renewed but expanded in such a significant way. For just $2 a match, fans can enjoy live Drua rugby on Vodafone Play anytime, anywhere —and for the first time—full replays and Mini-Matches whenever it suits them. This is a huge step forward in how the Drua Nation and indeed everyone in Fiji experiences their favourite team.” Vodafone Fiji’s Regional Chief Marketing Officer, Rajnesh Prasad, says the company is proud to extend the partnership and deliver a modern, mobile-first rugby platform. “Vodafone Fiji is proud to deepen our partnership with the Fijian Drua and lead the way with a truly modern, mobile-first rugby experience. Through Vodafone Play, supporters can enjoy high-quality live streaming, convenient on-demand access and exciting new features like the Mini-Match. This expanded partnership reflects our commitment to innovation, digital accessibility and celebrating what matters most to our customers.” Further announcements on Pay-TV and Free-to-Air coverage will follow in the coming days. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.