Kaunikuila Basketball Club proud to represent the country – FBC News
The Kaunikuila Basketball Club President Ben Nasau The Kaunikuila Basketball Club will represent both their team and Fiji during their first international tour next month at the Olympique de Noumea Basketball Tournament in New Caledonia. The club has been preparing for the competition over the past few weeks. President Ben Nasau also mentioned that their men’s and women’s teams include players from other clubs. Article continues after advertisement “If you see the team behind me training, this isn’t just the Kaunikuila Basketball Club — this is a variety of other clubs who have joined to be part of this tour. So at the end of the day, we will be out representing Fiji, as a club, for our nation.” Adding to the excitement, the club will also play exhibition matches against New Caledonia’s national men’s and women’s teams. The club will leave for New Caledonia on December 13th. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Simple mistakes nearly cost Flying Fijian’s win over Spain – FBC News
Source: Fiji Rugby / Facebook The Fiji Water Flying Fijians have admitted they came dangerously close to losing a hard-fought 41–33 victory over Spain early this morning. According to head coach Mick Byrne, a string of “simple mistakes” almost cost Fiji dearly in Malaga. Byrne singled out breakdown errors, sloppy lineouts, and scrappy scrums as the key areas where Spain capitalized, noting that these lapses gave the hosts several scoring opportunities. Article continues after advertisement “We were lucky to get out of that at the end. I give full credit to Spain, they were passionate, they kept coming after us. We started the game and has several areas of avoidable penalties.” Spain – currently ranked 14th in the world – offered fierce resistance against the Flying Fijians, who sit at 8th on the World Rugby rankings. The two teams traded blows throughout the match, with momentum swinging both ways in a high-intensity contest. Byrne was quick to praise Spain for making them earn every point. He stressed that despite the victory, the Fijian coaching staff would be dissecting every phase – particularly the breakdown and set pieces – to tighten up execution. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Club competition prepares athletes ahead of Fiji Primary Schools Games – FBC News
Royals Athletics Club president Antonio Raboiliku says one of the main objectives of their club competition is to help athletes prepare for the Fiji Primary Schools Tuckers Ice Cream Games next week. With many athletes competing for the first time in a huge competition, he says this event will allow athletes to acclimatize to the level of intensity on the tracks. There were eight districts and more than 200 athletes part of the club’s competition. Article continues after advertisement Royals Athletics Club president Antonio Raboiliku “This competition is also to help enable athletes to have a feel of what the competition is like, and sort of have some experience before the get into the competition in the next few days.” He is also calling out the parents of the athletes, students and fans to come out in numbers and witness some exciting competition among the different districts. The Tuckers Ice Cream Games will be held next Thursday and Friday. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Flying Fijians survive Spanish scare – FBC News
Source: Fiji Rugby / Facebook The FIJI Water Flying Fijians survived a close scare early this morning against Spain, despite having beaten the side 41–33 in their last November Test match. The Flying Fijians got off to a slow start, giving away several early opportunities through basic errors. Spain capitalised in the 20th minute, with their halfback sneaking through for the opening try and a 7–0 lead. Article continues after advertisement Fiji struck back quickly. A pinpoint cross-kick from fly-half Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula found flanker Elia Cakanakaivata, who dived over in the corner to level the scores at 7–all. Spain then edged ahead 10–7 with an impressive 56-metre penalty just a few minutes later. Winger Juita Wainiqolo reminded fans why he is regarded as one of the best in the world, slicing through Spain’s defence before offloading to halfback Simione Kuruvoli, who dotted down for a 14–10 advantage. Spain refused to back down and crossed for a well-worked try just before halftime, reclaiming the lead at 15–14. Fiji responded immediately after the break, with a well-executed set piece in the corner seeing Kuruvoli grab his second try, putting the Flying Fijians ahead 21–15. But Spain continued to claw their way back. Their halfback pounced on loose possession at the breakdown and sprinted nearly 30 metres to score, turning the tables once again for a 25–21 lead. Another successful penalty from 40 metres out extended Spain’s advantage to 28–21 with just 15 minutes remaining. Armstrong-Ravula kept Fiji within reach, nailing his first penalty of the match from outside Spain’s 22 to narrow the gap to 28–24. Spain struck again in the 63rd minute, driving over from a lineout close to Fiji’s line to push their lead to 33–24. Replacement forward Atunaisa Sokowale responded almost immediately for Fiji, powering over to bring the score back to 33–31. With eight minutes left, Fiji produced a crucial moment. Another expertly placed cross-kick from Armstrong-Ravula found winger Joji Nasova, who scored to reclaim the lead at 38–33. Armstrong-Ravula then added another excellent penalty, stretching Fiji’s advantage to 41–33 as full-time approached. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
South Africa elect to bat, India bring in Reddy and Sudharsan
Australia added nine runs to their overnight score before being bowled out for 132 on Saturday, conceding a first-innings lead of 40 runs to England early in the morning session on the second day of the opening Ashes test at Perth Stadium. England captain Ben Stokes led the way for his side with five for […]
Fiji U17 teams gear up for FIBA Oceania challenges – FBC News
Source: Basketball Fiji Fiji’s national Under-17 basketball teams are bracing for a challenging campaign at the upcoming FIBA Oceania Championship, after learning their group draws yesterday. Both the men’s and women’s sides have been drawn alongside Australia and Guam, setting up a tough pool. The women’s team will open their campaign on December 8 against Guam, before facing Australia the next day. Article continues after advertisement The men follow a similar schedule — they also start on December 8, first taking on Australia, then playing Guam. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Tailevu sets high target for Fiji Primary Schools Games – FBC News
Tailevu is approaching next week’s Primary Schools Tuckers Ice Cream Games with a clear goal: to showcase their talent, rather than simply making up the numbers. During the recent Royals Athletics Club Competition at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva, the athletes, donning green, offered only a glimpse of the competitive heat they intend to bring to the national meet. The team is excited and ready to get down to business, aiming to leave a significant mark on the competition. Article continues after advertisement “We are not just coming to participate, but we are coming to compete for the Tucker’s ice cream games this coming week. Team Tailevu will be participating in all events.” The district will feature a total of 126 athletes across 14 schools. The Fiji Primary Schools Tuckers Ice Cream Games will be held at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva next Thursday and Friday. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Byrne stresses importance on work rate – FBC News
source: Fiji Rugby / Facebook Work rate off the ball from the breakdown was an important factor for the Fiji Water Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne when selecting his starting line-up for their final match of the November Test against Spain tomorrow. Byrne stressed the importance of being quick off the breakdown and getting into place before each play, and it is something he believes will lift their game to the next level. “That’s a non-negotiable for us, our ability to work across the field and get set early. I think that if we’re in those positions early it gives us an opportunity to read the game and make the right call.” Article continues after advertisement He explains that being in the right position on the field before each delivery will enhance their attacking form, and help build momentum. However, he says getting the right combination between different players is another important factor. The Flying Fijians will take on Spain at 4am tomorrow morning. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Depth and discipline key for Flying Fijians – FBC News
FIJI Water Flying Fijians coach Mick Byrne says the quality of the squad heading into the 2027 Rugby World Cup is looking very healthy. With the Autumn Nations Series currently underway, he believes the two young props, Atunaisa Sokobale and Tim Hoyt, performed well coming off the bench. Byrne adds that they need to keep building depth in those positions, emphasizing that it is not just development depth, but depth of quality players. Article continues after advertisement “We’ve got world-class players that are getting in the team. So our depth is looking very healthy. And, you know, when you can bring guys like, you know, Botitu into the team, Tuicuvu, who are doing great jobs up in France, you know, I think that speaks volumes for the sort of quality of players we’ve got in our squad now.” He adds that their work off the ball is a non-negotiable, including the ability to work across the field and get set early. This, he says was a non-negotiable before naming the squad for tomorrow. Byrne made nine changes to their starting XV with Kavaia Tagivetaua to possibly make his debut. Fiji and Spain will meet at 4am Sunday. You can watch the match LIVE on FBC Sports. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Drua to face Chiefs in Waikato trial – FBC News
Source: Fijian Drua / Facebook The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua will open their 2026 campaign preparations with a pre-season trial against the Gallagher Chiefs at Mount Maunganui, New Zealand on January 30. The match gives Drua fans in New Zealand’s North Island a rare chance to watch the side in action before the new Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific season begins. It will also be the Drua’s first-ever outing in the Bay of Plenty region. Article continues after advertisement The wider squad is expected to travel for the clash, with coaches planning to use the hit-out to assess depth, combinations and overall match readiness. The trial against the 2025 grand finalists is seen as an important step in building cohesion and sharpening the team’s structures ahead of the new season. Head coach Glen Jackson says the team is grateful to face a quality opponent like the Gallagher Chiefs. The Drua camp will spend four days in New Zealand as part of their preparation block, with the trial designed to test fitness levels and provide valuable minutes for both established players and new squad members. Jackson says It’s an invaluable chance for the players to push their boundaries before the main competition starts. The team is also hopeful of strong support in the Bay Area, home to a large Fijian community who will have the chance to witness the side’s trademark fast and physical rugby up close. The match is set for a 2pm at Blake Park. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.