Suva Women’s player dies in hit-and-run accident – FBC News
Suva women’s player Vane Lolo Tukania The football community is grieving the loss of Suva women’s player Vane Lolo Tukania, who died following a hit-and-run accident along Ratu Dovi Rd in Nadera on Saturday. Tukania, the daughter of former national and Labasa football midfielder Tevita Tukania, was regarded as one of the promising players in the women’s game. She had represented Fiji at the Under-17 level, played for the Labasa women’s side, and was part of the current Suva women’s squad. Article continues after advertisement Away from football, she served as a fire officer and was well respected for the commitment and discipline she carried into her work. Fiji Football Association president Rajesh Patel said her passing had deeply affected the football family, describing her as a dedicated player whose presence was strongly felt both on and off the pitch. He extended the association’s sympathies to her family, teammates and those closest to her. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Fiji face brutal ‘pool of champions’ in Dubai title defence – FBC News
[Source: Fiji Rugby/ Facebook] Fiji will chase back-to-back Dubai titles for the first time this weekend, a year after beating giant-killers Spain 19-5 in last season’s final. Spain shocked the world last year by toppling the All Blacks Sevens twice on their way to their first-ever Cup Final, but the two sides won’t meet in pool play this time. Fiji have been handed one of the toughest assignments in the tournament, drawn in Pool A with SVNS Series champions South Africa, League Winners Argentina, and Olympic gold medallists France. Article continues after advertisement Spain are in Pool B, where they get another shot at the All Blacks Sevens, along with Australia and Great Britain. In the women’s draw, Australia headline Pool B with Canada, Great Britain and Japan, while the Black Ferns Sevens line up in Pool A alongside USA, France and Fiji. The Dubai 7s will also feature the world’s biggest invitational rugby tournament, with Australia A unveiling a star-studded squad packed with Wallaroos talent. World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin says Dubai is the “perfect kick-off” for the new-look SVNS Series, with top teams and major stars building towards the LA 2028 Olympics. Festival organisers say fans can expect world-class rugby and a stacked entertainment line-up across the three-day event. The Dubai 7s will be held from this Saturday to next Monday. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Taveuni ready to face whatever comes their way – FBC News
[file photo] Team Taveuni is confident they have what it takes to compete against the larger districts at the Fiji Primary Schools Tuckers Ice Cream Games at the HFC Bank Stadium later this week. Coach Viliame Mataicolo acknowledges that the tournament will be challenging but says the athletes have set clear goals and are determined to achieve them. The team arrived in Suva early this morning and are currently camping at John Wesley College. Article continues after advertisement “For team Taveuni, we do not just want to make the numbers, we are here to compete. We know there are much bigger and tougher districts competing as well in this tuckers Ice cream games, but we are ready to stand up against them” Taveuni will feature more than 100 athletes from eleven schools across the Island. The Fiji Primary Schools Tuckers Ice Cream Games will be held on Thursday and Friday. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Avengers celebrate national title after five-year rise – FBC News
Source: avengers._volleyball / Instagram The Avengers Volleyball Club are celebrating a landmark achievement after being crowned National Interclub Champions of Fiji, securing the title in a tournament that concluded over the weekend. The victory marks the culmination of a five-year journey that began with a small group of friends and has grown into one of the country’s most disciplined and determined volleyball outfits. The self-funded club, with no village, community or provincial backing, credits its success to unity, sacrifice and an unwavering belief in their shared vision. Article continues after advertisement In a statement, the team reflected on how far they have come, acknowledging the hardships and commitment that shaped them. “Today marks a monumental moment for our team, a dream that began five years ago has finally been realised. What started with a small group of friends who simply loved volleyball has grown into a team forged by determination, sacrifice, and belief.” The Avengers highlighted their identity as a fully self-funded side built on discipline and commitment. The team also paid tribute to the grind behind the glory. “This journey has never been easy. Trainings in all conditions, personal sacrifices, juggling work, family and sport… it has all led to this moment,” the statement continued.” Special acknowledgements were made to those who carried the team through the toughest stretches, including head coach Des Gonerogo. Five years since they first dared to dream, the Avengers now stand atop Fiji volleyball, with the belief that this title is only the beginning Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Drua’s boot hunt sparks speculation around Wakeham’s future – FBC News
[file photo] A light-hearted yet unusual post on the Fijian Drua’s official social media pages has stirred up interest among fans, and raised fresh questions about the status of towering forward Janeiro Wakeham, who is currently on a train-and-trial deal with the club. The Drua today shared a “Wanted” poster calling for size 17 rugby boots, noting they have been unable to source any in Fiji. While the post did not name the player, the request has fuelled strong speculation that it may be intended for Wakeham, one of the few players known to wear extremely large boots. Wakeham, a mammoth athlete who has drawn comparisons to Australia’s Will Skelton, returned to Fiji earlier this year after a stint in the NFL’s International Player Pathway program. Article continues after advertisement He later signed a train-and-trial agreement with the Drua as he continued his transition back into rugby. With the club publicly appealing for help sourcing equipment that matches his size, fans have begun to question whether the social media post hints that Wakeham is close to securing a full contract. However, the Drua have not made any official announcement, and his playing status remains unconfirmed. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Vuli up for Outstanding Contribution to Refereeing Award – FBC News
Fiji Rugby Referees educator and coach Kuini Vuli Fiji Rugby Referees educator and coach Kuini Vuli has been nominated by the Suva Rugby Referees Association for the Outstanding Contribution to Refereeing Award ahead of the inaugural Referees Awards Night in Suva next month. The Association says Vuli has made an exceptional contribution to the development of refereeing in Fiji. Vuli holds a Match Officiating Level 3 qualification and has officiated at local, regional, and international levels. Article continues after advertisement As an educator, she has helped raise the profile of women referees through workshops and courses nationwide. The SRFA believes her dedication and leadership led to her appointment as Fiji Rugby’s Women’s Development Manager, a role through which she continues to inspire future generations. Vuli became the second Fijian woman, after Elenoa Kunatuba, to officiate top-class matches when she began a ground-breaking journey in 2009 that took her to tournaments in places as far-flung as Moscow and Dubai. Over the years, she has featured in some of the sport’s most prestigious international tournaments. She remains hopeful that more Fijian women will follow in her footsteps and achieve even greater success. In 2012, Vuli officiated at the opening tournament of the inaugural World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series in Dubai before taking charge at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Moscow the following year. She continued to referee across the Oceania region before taking a break in 2016 after being diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer. Following her recovery, Vuli returned to the field, resuming duties in both sevens and 15s. For the past few years, her focus has shifted to developing the next generation of match officials through her role as a referee educator with the Fiji Rugby Union. The first-ever Fiji Rugby Referees Association Awards Night will be held on the 20th of next month in Suva. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Byrne unhappy with reliance on late surges – FBC News
Source: Fiji Rugby / Facebook FIJI Water Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne says his team must break a dangerous habit of only reaching their peak in the final stages of matches. Reflecting on their dramatic 41–33 comeback win over Spain, Byrne warned that relying on late surges won’t help them in the long-term. He pointed out how Spain, despite being under pressure, controlled much of the first half, even scoring first and holding a lead for most of the match. Article continues after advertisement “We started the game with seven avoidable penalties, and some unlucky situations put us a bit in a hole. But we regrouped at halftime, and did what we needed to do to get the victory but that’s not going to be good enough moving forward.” Byrne acknowledged that while the win was welcome, the manner in which it came showed worrying patterns. He emphasized that growth and consistent development will only come if the team abandons the mentality of waiting until the final quarter to bring out their best. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Athletics Fiji trains officials ahead of Fiji Primary School Games – FBC News
All officials selected to oversee the Fiji Primary School Tuckers Ice Cream Games have undergone extensive training to ensure the tournament runs smoothly next week. Fiji Primary Schools Athletics Association president Patrick Bower says experts from Athletics Fiji have spent the past few weeks training officials from the various competing districts. “All officials who will be officiating on the day have been trained for their technical experience, and we are grateful to Athletics Fiji for providing the expertise to train those from the other districts.” Article continues after advertisement He notes that just as young athletes prepare for months leading up to the competition, organizers are committed to ensuring officials are well-equipped and confident so that no errors occur on the field. Bower is also encouraging parents, families, and supporters to turn out in large numbers and cheer on the athletes. The games will take place this Thursday and Friday at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Liverpool manager accepts blame after humiliating loss – FBC News
Source: Reuters Liverpool manager Arne Slot accepted full responsibility after his team suffered a humiliating 3–0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest, equalling their joint-heaviest Premier League loss at Anfield. The result leaves the defending champions sitting in 11th place, with their title hopes in ruins. Savona’s goal came less than a minute into a disastrous second half for the home side. Article continues after advertisement Liverpool have now lost eight of their last 11 matches in all competitions, and Slot admitted that experience alone will not fix the issues his team is facing. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Suva FC finishes in fifth place at OFC Champions League – FBC News
Host club Suva FC came from behind to defeat Gulf Komara FC 4–3 at the Vodafone Arena in Suva, securing fifth place at the OFC Futsal Men’s Champions League 2025. Gulf Komara, still searching for their first win of the tournament, made a blistering start in the 5th–6th place playoff. They struck just 29 seconds into the match when a long ball found Ezekiel Vela, who finished confidently to give the PNG side their first lead of the competition. Article continues after advertisement Vela then doubled the advantage in the 17th minute with a long-range effort, capping off a dominant first half in which Suva goalkeeper Shameet Kumar was kept busy by multiple Gulf Komara attacks. Suva, who had beaten Gulf Komara 5–2 in the group stage, struggled for fluency early on but were handed a lifeline 45 seconds before halftime when Deepal Singh scored with a deflected long-range strike. The goal shifted the momentum, and Suva equalised moments after the restart through Nikil Chand, who headed in another delivery from Singh. Suva ramped up the pressure, with Filipe Baravilala and Aman Naidu both going close, but their momentum briefly stalled after a spell of ill-discipline that saw them pick up three yellow cards. Gulf Komara capitalized when Iamo Manu restored their lead from a deflected free kick. Their advantage lasted just 19 seconds, as Baravilala immediately replied for Suva. Moments later, Merril Nand completed the comeback, using the right post to guide home Suva’s fourth and put the hosts ahead for the first time. Gulf Komara fought desperately for a late equalizer, claiming a penalty when Manu went down in the area, but the referee waved play on. Suva held firm to seal a hard-fought victory—matching their fifth-place finish from the inaugural 2019 edition. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.