Darroch urges remaining Police teams to step up for crucial wins – FBC News
Police assistant coach and player Paul Darroch has urged the remaining Police teams yet to take the field to chase similar success after their men’s touch rugby side edged Army 9–8 in a tense finish at the Vodafone Ratu Sukuna Bowl competition this morning at the Nasova grounds. Darroch says the squads still waiting to compete must carry the momentum built from that hard-fought victory and finish strong for Police. He emphasises that every win counts toward the pride of the organisation and the final outcome of the three-day competition, calling on the remaining teams to show composure, hunger and unity when their moments arrive. Article continues after advertisement “This is a challenge to all Police teams out there, if we can do it especially coming from the bottom and taking the title back we know you can do it too.” Darroch adds that the onus is now on the next wave of Police athletes to step up, make their mark and keep the force’s challenge for the Sukuna Bowl alive. Meanwhile, Sukuna Bowl continues into day three tomorrow with netball, volleyball, rugby league and the final day of boxing. The men’s soccer on Thursday and men’s and women’s rugby on Friday will be held at Subrail Park in Labasa and will air LIVE on FBC Sports. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Conroy joins Coral Coast 7s invitational team – FBC News
[Source: Coral Coast Fiji 7s/ Facebook] The McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast 7s has landed one of the biggest names in world sevens with the confirmation that Irish speedster Jordan Conroy will headline the invitational team at next year’s tournament. In what will be his first-ever visit to Fiji and debut appearance at the world’s premier invitational sevens showcase, Conroy’s inclusion adds serious firepower to an already star-studded outfit. Blessed with blistering pace, wicked footwork and a nose for the tryline, the Ireland flyer has built a global reputation on the HSBC SVNS Series as one of the most feared attacking threats in the game. Article continues after advertisement His arrival in Sigatoka elevates the anticipation surrounding the tournament, with fans set to witness his trademark explosiveness at Lawaqa Park in January. Tournament officials say Conroy’s appearance underscores the growing international pull of the Coral Coast 7s. “We are incredibly excited to welcome Jordan to Fiji and to the Coral Coast 7s for the very first time. He embodies the flair, athleticism, and spirit of modern sevens, and fans can expect something truly special when he steps onto the field at Lawaqa Park.” Conroy’s presence strengthens the invitational side as they chase the prestigious i-Wau Trophy and the event’s massive $50,000 first-place prize, adding yet another world-class name to a tournament that continues to attract international stars eager to test themselves in the spiritual home of sevens rugby. The Coral Coast 7s starts on the 15th to the 17th of January at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Flying Fijians move to eighth on world rankings – FBC News
[Photo Credit: Fiji Rugby] The Fiji Water Flying Fijians have moved up one place on the latest world rankings. Fiji is now eighth while England has moved to third while Ireland is now fourth and Scotland dropped to ninth. Those were the movements in the top 10 when World Rugby updated the rankings this morning. The latest rankings will determine the how the pools are going to be drawn for the World Cup in Australia in 2027. Article continues after advertisement The draws will be held on December 3rd in Australia. Unlike the previous World Cup where there were 20 teams in five pools, this one will have 24 nations in six groups. Once the 24 teams are confirmed, they are seeded from 1 to 24 based on their World Rugby rankings at the time of the draw on 3 December. As things stand, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand, France, England and Argentina are the top six teams in the rankings. The next six are Australia, Fiji, Scotland, Italy, Georgia and Wales. The top six teams will be grouped in Band 1, while the next six form Band 2, and so on. Each pool will have one team from each of the four bands. There is only one exception to all this: Australia already know they are in Pool A as they are host nation and will therefore contest the opening game on 1 October 2027. The Wallabies are currently in Band 2, which means a team from Band 1 will be drawn and placed in Pool A, and they would automatically be joined by Australia. However, should Australia climb into the top six by December, they would be automatically be the top-ranked team in Pool A, and a team from Band 2 would be drawn alongside them. In previous tournaments going back to Rugby World Cup 2003, we have traditionally had 20 teams that were divided into four pools of five teams. The top two teams from each pool would then progress to the quarter-finals, which was the first round of the knockouts. At Australia 2027 we will have 24 teams, and therefore the tournament requires a new format and one big change: a Round of 16 as the first knockout game. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Bula Boys fall to Vanuatu while Fiji Kulas register another win – FBC News
The Fiji Men’s Football side went down 2–0 to Vanuatu in their second pool match of the MSG Prime Ministers Cup this evening, while the Fiji Women’s team earlier secured a hard-fought 2–1 win over the Solomon Islands. The Kulas set the tone for the day, striking twice in the first half. Their opening goal came from a well-timed through pass out of midfield, allowing Adi Litia Bakaniceva to weave past defenders and finish with a classy solo effort. Article continues after advertisement The second came moments later when Cema Nasau was left unmarked in front of goal, calmly slotting the ball home to extend Fiji’s lead. The Solomon Islands pulled one back, but Fiji held firm to claim their second straight victory of the tournament. In the men’s clash, Fiji and Vanuatu were locked 0–0 at halftime after an evenly contested first spell. But Vanuatu lifted in the final stages, breaking the deadlock with a sharp strike before sealing the result from the penalty spot. Fiji created chances of their own but were unable to convert. Both Fiji teams now advance to Wednesday’s semi-finals, with their opponents to be confirmed once pool play concludes. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Suva FC register first win – FBC News
Suva Futsal Club secured their first win of the OFC Futsal Men’s Champions League 2025 with a strong 5–2 performance against Gulf Komara FC. Suva started confidently, controlling possession early before breaking through with two quick goals; first through Nikhil Chand from a Rajneel Singh setup, then Singh finishing a turnover moments later. Their composure and structured play kept Gulf Komara under pressure throughout the half. Article continues after advertisement A well-worked move saw Ramzan Khan create an opening for Merrill Nand to tap in Suva’s third, but Gulf Komara hit back late with two goals from Ezekiel Vela to close the gap to 3–2 at halftime. The Papua New Guinean side continued to push after the break, but Suva held firm, absorbing pressure and capitalising when it mattered. Their patience paid off again with a deflected strike restoring control before they sealed the match with a late fifth. The win places Suva firmly in contention as they continue their campaign at the Vodafone Arena. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Flying Fijians joins inaugural nations championship – FBC News
Source: Fiji Rugby Fiji Rugby has reached its biggest milestone yet, officially confirmed tonight as a tier one nation and a full participant in the new Nations Championship, set to kick off in July 2026. The announcement was made by Fiji Rugby Union Director of Rugby Lailanie Burnes, who described the moment as “historic for Fiji, for our rugby community and for our nation.” Burnes said Fiji’s inclusion places the Flying Fijians in a permanent, structured competition alongside the world’s rugby elite, a first in the country’s history. “Fiji will take its rightful place as a permanent, structured competition alongside some of the very best teams in the world. Fiji is now a Tier One nation, recognised and included amongst the global elite. This is one of the most significant achievements in Fiji’s rugby journey.” Fiji will join Japan as the two invitational Southern Hemisphere teams, completing a powerful lineup with New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Argentina. Representing the north will be England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. Burnes said the Nations Championship, a collaboration between Six Nations Rugby and SANZAAR, brings together 12 of the strongest rugby nations into a single premier competition, replacing the traditional July and November test windows with high-stakes fixtures every two years. The championship will culminate in a finals weekend in London, featuring three days of double-header matches to determine the first-ever Nations Champion. Under the new structure, Fiji will play six cross-hemisphere tests, northern teams touring the south in July, and southern teams travelling north in November. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
I want the ‘tanoa’ in Nasova this week: Tudravu – FBC News
Fiji Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu is clear about what he wants for Friday’s Vodafone Ratu Sukuna Bowl Fiji Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu is clear about what he wants for Friday’s Vodafone Ratu Sukuna Bowl and that is to have the ‘tanoa’ back in Nasova. He says months of preparation have led to this week and now it is up to his officers to show their strength, discipline and desire on the field, in the ring, on the court and across the pitch. Tudravu knows the Military will be just as hungry but the groundwork has been done and it is now a test of skill, determination and teamwork for the Police athletes. Article continues after advertisement “When the dust settles this Friday at Subrail Park in Labasa, the only thing I want to see is the tanoa being brought back to Nasova. That is my main message. I also send my best wishes to the Commander, my turaga naita. I have great respect for him and the duty he carries out. I believe he has also spoken to the Military athletes competing this week, and his words are probably tougher than mine. I’m more relaxed. The Commander will be hungrier for the win, but we’ll see how things unfold at Subrail Park in Labasa later this week.” He also stresses the importance of community support during this week-long sporting clash, saying that backing the two Forces is a way of recognising the work they do to keep the nation safe. “I am sending my well wishes and extend the invitation to families in North to come in numbers and watch the highly anticipated clash. For me it is clear that when supporters come out in numbers for this week-long event it also shows the support we have for the two Forces that are keeping our nation safe. So it is important we show support in full force to this week as this is something both Forces look forward to once a year before we all go back to our normal duties.” Cricket & Boxing started today while touch rugby and oldies rugby will be held tomorrow. Meanwhile, the men’s soccer on Thursday, men’s and women’s rugby on Friday will be held at Subrail Park in Labasa and will be LIVE on FBC Sports. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Flying Fijians edging closer to where they want to be: Byrne – FBC News
[Source: Fiji Rugby/Facebook] FIJI Water Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne says the side’s latest performance showed clear signs of growth as the team continues building toward the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Byrne admitted the team allowed France to pull ahead early after struggling with possession and field position. But once Fiji settled into their structure, he said the side began to ask questions of the hosts and worked their way back into the contest. Article continues after advertisement He says that the match highlighted important areas that still need attention, reinforcing where Fiji must improve in the coming seasons. Byrne believes the team is steadily moving in the right direction and getting closer to the level they are targeting for 2027. The coach also praised the squad’s unity and commitment off the field, saying the group has come together well in a short period of time and shown resilience and steady improvement over the past 18 months. The Flying Fijians will take on Spain at 4am this Sunday. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Costly lapses deny Fiji after promising fight says Ikanivere – FBC News
[Photo Credit: Fiji Rugby] FIJI Water Flying Fijians captain Tevita Ikanivere admitted the team left Bordeaux disappointed, convinced they had a real chance to topple France before costly lapses swung the match away from them. The Fijian side fell to France 34-21 yesterday. Ikanivere felt Fiji had the momentum and the firepower but were undone by moments of poor decision-making and discipline; especially allowing France to race to a 21-0 lead earlier on. Article continues after advertisement Despite the loss, Ikanivere remained firm that Fiji is not far off the standard needed to challenge the world’s best. He believes the side has the courage, intensity and talent to compete with any top nation, with the next step being sharper execution in key moments. With one Test left in their season, the captain said the squad is eager to finish strongly and return to their clubs on a positive note, using this performance as motivation for the road toward 2027. The Flying Fijians will take on Spain at 4am next Sunday. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Early tries give France win over Flying Fijians in Bordeaux – FBC News
[Photo Credit: Six Nations Rugby] The FIJI Water Flying Fijians fell 34–21 to France this morning, undone by a slow start that left them chasing the match at Matmut Atlantique Stadium in France. France struck three times in the opening 20 minutes through Nicolas Depoortere, Julien Marchand, and Charles Ollivon, with Thomas Ramos converting all attempts for a 21–0 lead. Selestino Ravutaumada was also sent off with a yellow card for a head contact in a tackle. Article continues after advertisement Fiji eventually settled and hit back through Kalaveti Ravouvou in the 28th minute, before Selestino Ravutaumada finished strongly just before halftime. Simi Kuruvoli nailed both conversions to pull the visitors to 21–14 at the break. Momentum swung Fiji’s way early in the second spell when Jiuta Wainiqolo finished a sharp counter-attack to level the scores at 21–21. But that was as close as Fiji came. France tightened their structure and pushed ahead through two penalties from Ramos as the visitors struggled to escape their own half. The hosts then sealed the match in the 71st minute when Depoortere crossed for his second try, extending the lead to 34–21. Fiji showed plenty of fight after recovering from a shaky opening, but the early damage proved decisive as France closed out the match with greater control and composure. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.