Bulikula creates history, books last World Cup ticket – FBC News
Source: FNRL The Fiji women’s rugby league side, Bulikula, created history this morning in Canada after booking their World Cup ticket for the first time. Fiji Bulikula defeated Nigeria 62-4 which sees them make history as the first-ever women’s rugby league team from Fiji to qualify for the Rugby League World Cup after securing the final spot. Former Australia women’s 7s rep, Cassie Staples, scored four tries in the historic win. Article continues after advertisement The win marks a significant milestone for women’s rugby league in Fiji, showcasing the growth of the women’s game. Our side was leading 28-4 at halftime after scoring five tries.’ Staples and Leilani Asham grabbed two tries each in the second half with others from Naomi Tegu and Ebony Lang New Zealand, Australia, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, France, Fiji, Wales, and England are now confirmed for the World Cup. The Women’s Rugby League World Cup will be held in Australia next year. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Apsinall v Gane: UFC heavyweight champion Tom Apsinall requires tests on eye back in UK
UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall requires further tests on his eye after his title defence at UFC 321 against Ciryl Gane ended as a no contest. Gane accidentally poked the Briton in both eyes while attempting a punch late in the first round of their headline contest in Abu Dhabi. Aspinall was unable to continue, telling referee Jason Herzog “I can’t see”, and it was waved off as a no contest with the Mancunian retaining his belt. He was taken to hospital after the fight and did not appear for the post-fight news conference. The 32-year-old suffered a serious knee injury in 2022 – tearing his medial collateral ligament (MCL) and his meniscus, and sustaining damage to his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) – and spent a year in recovery after surgery. “It’s a dangerous sport,” Aspinall said in a video posted to his YouTube channel. “It’s way scarier than what I did to my knee. With your knee, you know it’s going to be alright but you don’t know how it’s going to be with your eye.”
El Clasico talking points: Real Madrid impress but Vinicius Junior tension grows
After winning all four of last season’s Clasicos, Sunday’s performance was emblematic of Barcelona’s unconvincing start to the campaign. Injuries have robbed Hansi Flick of key players including Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo, and his system isn’t working without them. “It’s like the whole team is a little bit less sharp without the ball, less hungry to recover it, less aggressive to get the possession back,” Balague said. “It’s easier to attack them. If the defensive line is not perfect, as it wasn’t on the Mbappe goal because Alejandro Balde played him onside, they are not helped by the midfield and forwards not closing down those on the ball as well as they should. Lamine Yamal, tormentor-in-chief of Real last season, was kept largely in check. “Their stars weren’t at their best. Lamine doesn’t feel like he’s in good form, perhaps he’s suffering from groin problems that don’t allow him to display his talent. “The Barcelona of a year ago that caught Mbappe offside eight times, with Lewandowski, Raphinha and Lamine playing together, is gone at the moment. “They miss Raphinha in attack but defence as well, the intensity that he adds.” Marcus Rashford has been a shining light for Barcelona since joining on loan from Manchester United, but on Sunday he looked blunted. “He was trying to create danger on the left-hand side, but he found himself too often on his own and he could not beat the Madrid defence. “Barcelona attacked too quickly which meant he had to beat one, two, three defenders. “He felt a little bit isolated and he lost possession a lot in the second half. He couldn’t create a lot of danger, but he assisted for the goal. That came on the back of Barcelona stealing possession for the second time in 40 minutes. They don’t do that often enough, so their style falls apart.”
Bulikula Ready to take on Nigeria for World Cup spot – FBC News
Source: FNRL The Fiji Bulikula are just one win away from making history, as they prepare to face Nigeria in the International Women’s Rugby League World Series final that’s now underway. A win will see the Bulikula qualify for the World Cup for the first time ever. Captain Cassie Staples says the team is excited but aware of the pressure. Article continues after advertisement “I’m extremely humbled and proud to be in this position with these girls, I think we prepared really well heading into this tournament and with the World Cup on the horizon for us has been something of a goal for us, but at the moment it’s first things first and that’s the game against Nigeria.” The team comes off a dominant 48–0 semi-final win over Canada and Staples urges players to give their best for their country. The game will end at 8.30am. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
PWR: Gloucester-Hartpury 40-14 Saracens: Defending champions score six-tries in win
Gloucester-Hartpury: Sing; Venner, Shekells, Heard, Metcalfe; George, Hunt (c); Perry, K. Jones, Muir; Monaghan, Beckett, Stratford (c), Brock, Matthews. Replacements: N. Jones, Bradley, Samuda, Williams, Lewis, Davies, Goulden, Dallavalle. Saracens: McKenna; Breach, Gregson, Hardy, Corrigan; Harrison (c), Sellors; Clifford, Field, Tremelling; De Goede, Galligan, Evans, Cleall, M. Packer. Replacements: Campbell, Crake, Rose, McMillan, Wright-Haley, MacDougall, Blacklock, Linkins. Referee: Holly Wood
Rampant Australia crush England 26-6 at Wembley – FBC News
[Source: Reuters] Australia outclassed England 26-6 at Wembley to win the opening test of the first Ashes rugby league series for 22 years as two tries each for star fullback Reece Walsh and Angus Crichton were a fair reflection of their dominance. Australia have won the last 13 series since Britain’s last success in 1970 and always looked to have more in attack against an England team whose early strong defence became ragged and who failed to execute when their few try-scoring chances arose. It was a huge anti-climax for most of the 60,812 crowd, a UK record for an Ashes test, as England struggled to make any inroads until Daryl Clark’s late consolation try. Article continues after advertisement “It was pretty surreal being at Wembley,” said man-of-the-match and debutant Walsh. “I’m probably happier with the two tries I stopped (than the two I scored). I think that goes a long way to getting the result.” England coach Shaun Wane had no complaints. “The best team won. They made how many line breaks and scored? We made line breaks and didn’t score,” he said. “We weren’t clinical enough. I thought our physicality was good and our effort was good, but our finishing end of sets, the way we kicked – all the things that have a huge affect on your energy and all of a sudden you’re gassed and you can’t attack the same. “But the positive thing is we can correct that. We can be miles better than that and that’s what we aim to do.” ATTRITIONAL OPENING QUARTER After an attritional opening quarter, Australia finally worked some space wide on the right for Mark Nawaqanitawase and Kotoni Staggs to make ground and offload inside for Walsh to dive over. Walsh, man-of-the-match when Brisbane Broncos beat Melbourne Storm in the NRL Grand Final three weeks ago, then showed his defensive abilities. With England finally manufacturing a two-on-one, he stepped in to wrap up Jake Wardle just as his eyes lit up two metres from the line – his second-such intervention of the half. Australia, who lost captain Isaah Yeo early on after he failed a Head Injury Assessment, had a second try by Crichton ruled out after an illegal aerial challenge. England then missed their best opportunity of the half when Tom Johnstone’s kick just skidded over the dead-ball line with Lewis desperately chasing and Australia had the last word when Nathan Cleary landed a penalty for an 8-0 halftime lead. Walsh then blasted out of the blocks with a brilliant 70-metre break, when only a desperate ankle tap by Herbie Farnworth on Josh Addo-Carr prevented a second Kanagaroos score. It was only a brief respite, however, as Crichton blasted through some disorganised defence to cross, with Cleary making it 14-0 and the match already looking beyond the hosts. The crowd at Wembley, where Britain claimed famous wins over Australia in 1990, 1994 and 1995, had very little to get them out of their seats this time. Australia continued to look the more dangerous side while the hosts struggled to create any openings. The visitors scored their third try when a neat dummy by Cameron Munster sent Crichton over and then a brilliant combination enabled Walsh to get his second. Cleary made it five successful kicks out of five before Clark grabbed a late consolation try. The second test is at Everton FC’s new ground next Saturday, with the third at Headingley, Leeds the following week. England will need a dramatic turnaround to claim a first home series win since 1959. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Confirmed Sundowns’ starting 11 vs Remo Stars
Mamelodi Sundowns are expected to enjoy a cruise past Remo Stars in the CAF Champions League at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium at 15:30 this afternoon. Kabo Yellow already done half the work after humbling the Nigerian Professional Football League titleholders 5-1 in the first leg of their preliminary qualifier last weekend. CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: MAMELODI SUNDOWNS VS REMO STARS Coach Miguel Cardoso’s side were clinical in West Africa last weekend, putting Remo Stars to the sword and sending a message to their continental rivals such as Al Ahly, Pyramids FC and Wydad Casablanca. STARTING LINEUP TO FACE REMO STARS Denis Onyango, Khuliso Mudau, Grant Kekana, Keanu Cupido, Teboho Mokoena, Aubrey Modiba, Marcelo Allende, Tashreeq Matthews, Peter Shalulile, Nuno Santos, Arthur Sales. Substitutes: Reyaad Pieterse, Jayden Adams, Mosa Lebusa, Bathusi Aubaas, Kutlwano Letlhaku, Miguel Reisinho, Divine Lunga, Katlego Ntsabeleng, Lebogang Mothiba AMBITIONS FOR THIS SEASON Sundowns have their sights on the trophy this season after losing to Egypt’s Pyramids FC in last year’s final, the closest they came since winning the tournament in 2016. Meanwhile, in the local league, the start has been solid but slightly uneven. Masandawana sit at the top of the Betway Premiership table despite three draws and one loss in 10 games, which is below their lofty standards. In cup competitions, they bowed out early, falling to Marumo Gallants in the Carling Knockout first round and to Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 semifinals. Still, their attack remains intimidating to any team: 17 goals in 10 league games while conceding only five. SUNDOWNS’ RECORD SINCE WINNING THE TOURNAMENT IN 2016 2024/25: Lost in the final to Pyramids FC 2023/24: Lost in the semifinals to Esperance (then coached by Cardoso) 2022/23: Lost in the semifinals to Wydad Casablanca 2021/22: Lost in the quarterfinals to Petro de Luanda 2020/21: Lost in the quarterfinals to Al Ahly 2019/20: Lost in the quarterfinals to Al Ahly 2018/19: Lost in the semifinals to Wydad 2017/18: Group stages exit 2016/17: Lost in the quarterfinals to Wydad 2015/16: Champions after beating Zamalek 3-1 on aggregate.
Fourth straight loss for Liverpool – FBC News
Source: Reuters Liverpool manager Arne Slot admits their opponents have figured out how to play against his side after a 3-2 defeat to Brentford on Saturday made it four straight Premier League losses. After a strong start to their title defence, Liverpool have stumbled with defeats to Crystal Palace, Chelsea, Manchester United, and now Brentford, leaving Slot searching for answers to get his team back on track. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
What Welsh rugby shake up means and why it matters
MPs have already announced plans to question the WRU about the outcome of its consultation and the impact on the sport’s wider economic and cultural importance in Wales. “With rugby woven into the fabric of life in communities up and down the nation, the proposed structural changes announced by the WRU today will resonate far beyond the pitch,” said Ruth Jones MP, chair of the Welsh Affairs Committee. But the big questions fans wants answering are which team will be axed and when? The WRU had sought to cut two regions but the backlash made it clear that was too far and too much to bear. But still, one will go. Despite attempts to play down the scenario, it appears a straight battle between Ospreys and Scarlets – the two most successful clubs in the regional rugby era which began in 2003 – for the single west Wales spot. There remains a hope within the governing body that the two clubs will merge, as they so nearly did so in 2019. That would certainly make a formidable combination but would take a enormous amount of diplomacy – or desperation. Both team’s funding deal with the WRU expires in June 2027 but the likelihood is that this will be decided before then. The WRU remained coy over how long they are contracted to provide four teams to the URC who were firm in their desire for an even number of Welsh teams to safeguard the structure and format of the competition. The WU could be liable to pay compensation for withdrawing a team prematurely but negotiations are already taking place over a 15-team league or who could take the final place. South Africa are said to be against suggestions of inviting a club from the United States or Canada, due to the travel, so could a European option, say from Georgia, Spain or Portugal, or even an English Championship club be an option?
Ireland v New Zealand: Tommy O’Brien hopes to get his chance against the All Blacks
After a scintillating debut in green, O’Brien may get his shot under Andy Farrell for November’s fixtures after an injury to first-choice right wing Mack Hansen. If selected, O’Brien would relish going up against the All Blacks, who narrowly missed out on the Rugby Championship title to South Africa. “Once you get to this level you have to be aware that everyone is going to be very good,” he said, “I have to focus on what I do best and hopefully that will do the job.” Ireland have defeated New Zealand on four more occasions since that famous win in 2016 and O’Brien says “we don’t put anyone on a pedestal”, especially after that breakthrough win. “That New Zealand team would have come off the back of the 2015 and 2011 World Cups, so they were an incredibly successful team,” he added. “That was breaking the barrier by beating the All Blacks for the first time and we’ve managed to do it a couple of times since. “We respect them and know how good a team they are but we’re looking forward to the challenge of facing them.”