Unpredictable Dubai no worry for Walker as squad depth grows – FBC News
[Source: Fiji Rugby/Facebook] Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s coach Richard Walker says the Dubai 7s will open with its usual unpredictability as teams roll out new players and trial fresh structures. With most sides keeping their cards close until after the Dubai–Cape Town leg, he expects the early rounds of the series to be difficult to gauge. Rather than focus on what other teams may unveil, Walker is more concerned with how his own squad connects on the field. Article continues after advertisement He wants the group to settle quickly, play their natural Fijian style, and build confidence in their combinations. Walker has also strengthened internal competition within the squad. At the end of last season, a core group was already pushing hard for positions, and the off-season brought in even more contenders including young talents identified from the Marama Cup, returning players from the 15s World Cup, and others who had been playing in Japan and Australia. He says this mix has created one of the most competitive environments the team has had in recent years, with every player in Dubai still fighting for a place in the starting line-up. Fijiana 7s open their campaign against the USA at 7.20pm tomorrow, before meeting France at 9.59pm and New Zealand at 1.27am on Sunday. Fans can catch all the live action of Fiji’s matches on FBCTV. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Speaker of Parliament congratulates Kabara on first gold – FBC News
Kabara District School made history at the Fiji Primary Schools Tuckers Ice Cream Games after young Veiqaravi Kaitu claimed gold in the Under-9 cricket ball throw yesterday, the school’s first-ever medal in its first appearance at the national meet in Suva. Speaker of Parliament Filimone Jitoko made a heartfelt statement today in parliament saying the achievement has sparked enormous pride both in Suva and back on Kabara, describing the atmosphere among the islanders as nothing short of euphoric. He says that the gold medal has brought a sense of national-level excitement to the small island, a moment many locals will remember for years. Article continues after advertisement “I can only say that for us it rivals the national fever when the country won its first ever medal, gold medal in Rio Olympics.” The week-long experience in Suva has been uplifting for the students, who return home on Monday carrying not just a gold medal, but a sense of belief and inspiration for the island’s young athletes. Fiji Primary Schools Tuckers Ice Cream Games concludes today at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. Fans can catch all the live action on FBC Sports. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Koroijiuta dreams big in first appearance – FBC News
Fourteen-year-old Tabokai Koroijiuta may be a first-time competitor at the Fiji Primary Schools Athletics Tuckers Ice Cream Games, but he carries himself with the calm confidence of someone who already sees where he wants to go. The Tailevu district runner stood quietly at the edge of the HFC Bank Stadium track this morning, taking in the noise, the crowds, and the colors around him but beneath the nerves, he says, was pride. Athletics runs deep in his family, and the sport found him through his father, who once competed in Athletics himself. Article continues after advertisement That early encouragement shaped Koroijiuta’s ambition, and he now sees athletics not just as a school activity but a pathway to future opportunities. Next year, he hopes to join Queen Victoria School, a traditional powerhouse in the sport and a place he believes will shape both his discipline and his ambitions. “QVS teaches you responsibility and that’s where I want to chase gold medals and maybe even reach Fiji Athletics team one day.” Around him at the stadium, the support was hard to miss with teachers guiding him, friends cheering, and family members watching proudly from the stands. That network, he says, is what has helped him push through moments of self-doubt and learn to back himself on the track. Fiji Primary Schools Athletics Tuckers Ice Cream Games concludes today. Fans can catch live action of the event on FBC Sports. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Fiji locked in for Dubai title defence – FBC News
Fiji Airways Men’s 7s coach Osea Kolinisau Fiji Airways Men’s 7s coach Osea Kolinisau says every match at this weekend’s HSBC SVNS opener in Dubai must be treated like a quarterfinal as the defending champions push for another strong start to the series. Kolinisau says the team is shutting out all talk of pressure and focusing purely on execution. “This format is a straight quarterfinal, every game you play is a quarterfinal. The boys know we can’t slip up once. We have to be on our A game.” Article continues after advertisement He says Fiji is not dwelling on last year’s success, but on delivering the Fijian rugby they have been sharpening over the past few weeks. “We’re not thinking about the pressure of going back to back. We want to take this tournament again, but we need to play our cards right, execute what we’ve been training and get a good start.” Fiji faces a tough pool with Argentina, South Africa and France, but Kolinisau says this level of competition is now standard in the series. “There’s no running away from tough pools anymore. There’s no easy game. You’ve got to be good in every aspect, kickoff, attack, defence, set piece. Everything matters.” He says Fiji has worked hard to maximise every possession and to tighten their defensive connections. “When we defend, we must connect as a team and fight for each other. If we take care of what we’ve been practicing, then half the job is done.” Kolinisau remains confident his squad is ready to fire in Dubai as they begin their title defence. Fiji meets Argentina in their first match at 9.20pm this Saturday. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Arsenal’s Munoz becomes youngest UEFA Youth League player at 13 – FBC News
[Source: Reuters] Arsenal’s Luis Munoz became the youngest player to feature in a UEFA Youth League match on Thursday when the 13-year-old came off the bench in the closing stages of their 4-2 win over Bayern Munich in the under-19 competition. Munoz, who does not turn 14 until December 18, replaced Kyran Thompson in the 85th minute. The teenage midfielder beat the record set by Liam Payas, who played for Gibraltar-based Lincoln Red Imps aged 14 years and 93 days in September 2024. Article continues after advertisement Arsenal are 30th in the UEFA Youth League table, with only the top 22 teams qualifying for the knockout stages. They next face Belgian side Club Brugge on December 10. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Tailevu’s young athletes chase big-school dreams – FBC News
Tailevu district athletes are aiming high as the Fiji Primary Schools Athletics Tuckers Ice Cream Games meet got underway at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva today. Nausori District School teacher and Tailevu field coach Joji Daurewa said the team brought 14 schools and around 125 young athletes to this year’s competition, a turnout that took weeks of commitment from both teachers and students. Daurewa said preparing the squad was far from easy, with coaches having to organise a week-long camp to ensure the children were ready for the two-day meet. He believes the sacrifice will show in their performances on the track and field. Article continues after advertisement Beyond results, he says the meet provides an important platform for athletes in the 13 and 14 age groups, with several secondary schools scouting talent from the stands. Daurewa hopes that some of Tailevu’s young runners and throwers earn opportunities to join bigger schools, and eventually feature at the Coca-Cola Games next year. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Fijiana 7s fired up for Dubai 7s – FBC News
[Source: Fiji Rugby/Facebook] Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s coach Richard Walker says the squad is heading into this weekend’s HSBC SVNS opener in Dubai with confidence and a clean bill of health — a major boost as Fiji targets a powerful start to the new season. Walker confirmed the team has no major injury concerns, with only minor niggles being monitored as players fine-tune their readiness for the world stage. “No injuries so far, which is a good thing. We’ve got some minor injuries we’re looking after, but we were aware of those before we came away. Most of the girls are 99 to 100 per cent.” Article continues after advertisement But the real source of Walker’s optimism is the fierce competition in camp over the past few months, driven by the return of senior stars and the development of newer players. “We’ve had a couple of good camps — the competition has been really high. It’s good to have players like Vani come back in and push the rest of the squad, Reapi come back in and lift the intensity. And the girls who’ve been in the squad already have lifted their game as well.” [Source: Fiji Rugby/Facebook] Walker believes the squad now carries the right balance across all areas, with depth that allows Fiji to change shape, tempo and style depending on the opposition — a crucial weapon in the rapidly shifting landscape of sevens rugby. “We have a really good squad and a good balance across the board, defensively and in attack. In sevens you have to constantly change what you’re doing because teams switch on really quickly. Our players all offer something different, but they’re also comfortable playing within our structure.” With versatility across the roster and confidence high, Walker says the Fijiana are ready to unleash in Dubai. They will meet USA in their first match this Saturday at 7.20pm. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Doge highlights Fiji’s forward progress post-tour – FBC News
Mesake Doge FIJI Water Flying Fijians prop Mesake Doge says Fiji’s Northern Tour has proven that the national side is evolving into a more complete, smarter and physically hardened team—growth he believes comes from years of detailed work with the coaching group and the intensity of facing rugby’s toughest nations. Doge, one of Fiji’s most experienced front-rowers, says the past “two to four years” have been crucial in sharpening not just his set-piece strengths but his mobility and impact around the park as he continues to adapt with age. “We’ve been working closely with the coaches… trying to get better around the park, especially with age catching up. It’s been about my development, my input into the game—not just scrums, but tackling, carrying and contributing more in general play.” Article continues after advertisement The tighthead prop didn’t shy away from how brutal the matches against England and France were, but says that intensity is exactly what Fiji needs to gauge its global standing. “It was really tough. It’s always tough going up against the Tier One nations. But I think we really improved as a team from previous November tours. Those games will always push you to your limits.” He believes the team’s ability to compete for long stretches and respond to pressure reflects genuine progress—something the group has been building towards over multiple campaigns. Meanwhile, the side arrived into the country yesterday after their final campaign of the year – the Northern Tour. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Hosting HSBC 7s still out of reach for Fiji – FBC News
Fiji’s global reputation in rugby continues to stand strong, but the country remains unable to host a leg of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series due to major infrastructure gaps. According to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, hosting a tournament of this scale requires meeting strict criteria set by World Rugby, with stadium facilities being the most critical factor. A host nation must have a venue with at least 25,000 seats, world-class amenities, professional-grade facilities, and the necessary broadcast, security, and operational systems to support an international event. Article continues after advertisement Proximity to essential services such as major hospitals and international airports is also mandatory. While there is strong support for Fiji to one day bring the series to local shores, national sporting infrastructure would need significant upgrades before any formal bid could be pursued. The government says it continues to engage potential investors and work with key stakeholders to explore future hosting opportunities, but the priority remains improving the country’s facilities to meet international standards. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Ben Volavola on Reds move – FBC News
[Source: Rugby Pass] Former FIJI Water Flying Fijians flyhalf Ben Volavola says the chance to play under Queensland Reds coach Les Kiss, and join one of Super Rugby’s most exciting backlines, made his 2026 move an easy decision. The 38-Test fly-half returns to Super Rugby after a stint with Leicester Tigers, adding experience to a stacked Reds playmaking group that already includes Carter Gordon, Tom Lynagh and Harry McLaughlin-Phillips. Volavola, who remains eligible for Fiji until August 2026 before potentially qualifying for Wallabies selection, said the Reds’ attacking identity drew him in. Article continues after advertisement “The Reds have always been up there among the Australian teams. They play an exciting, attack-first style with a smart kicking game it’s the way I love to play.” Volavola joins a powerful squad featuring Fraser McReight, Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen and Harry Wilson, and says Kiss’ leadership was a major factor: For Queensland, his 200-plus games of experience add yet another weapon to an already loaded roster for 2026. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.