Fiji U-19 Squad Named Ahead of Australian Joeys Clash
The Fiji National Under-19 football team has been finalised ahead of their upcoming international fixture against the Australian Joeys (U-19). The squad will march in and assemble for final camp training on Tuesday, 6 January 2026, at the Fiji Football Association Academy in Suva, marking the beginning of the team’s final phase of preparation. The match against the Australian Joeys will be played on Saturday, 17 January 2026, at Churchill Park in Lautoka, and forms a key part of Fiji’s ongoing youth development pathway at the international level. Head Coach Dhirend Chand said the fixture will provide an important benchmark for the young squad as they transition into collective competition. “This match against the Australian Joeys is an important test for our players,” said Chand. “We have completed a period of individual preparation, and this fixture will allow us to assess how well the players apply their training in a competitive match environment.” Chand added that the final camp and international fixture are vital in evaluating both individual performances and team cohesion. “It is an opportunity to see how the players respond tactically, physically, and mentally at the international level. The focus is on discipline, teamwork, and building confidence as a group,” he said. The squad has been in structured preparation ahead of the fixture, with players previously following personalised training programmes before assembling for final team-based sessions at the Fiji FA Academy. Final Fiji Under-19 Squad
Drua players excited to make Coral Coast 7s tourney – FBC News
Swire Shipping Fijian Drua head coach Glen Jackson says his players are excited to compete at the upcoming McDonald’s Coral Coast 7s. He adds that with limited spots for a team in the tournament, players have been trying to improve their behavior to make the team. He says the tournament will be a good opportunity to get valuable game time to prep for the upcoming season. Article continues after advertisement “My phone hasn’t stopped, all the players and I’m trying to tell them this is a great occasion and it shows you the importance of the Coral Coast 7s, I think they’ve done an amazing job and this year is even tougher again, but we’re taking it really seriously. It’s a great chance for our men to get some match time and like I said selections will be challenging.” The Drua will kick start their season on the 14th of next month when they play Moana Pasifika in Lautoka. Their first match on Thursday at the Coral Coast 7s will be against the Drua at 11:40am. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Conroy excited to witness Fijian 7s flair firsthand – FBC News
Irish speedster Jordan Conroy says he is eager to experience firsthand the source of Fiji’s renowned rugby flair as he prepares to compete in the McDonald’s Coral Coast 7s tournament later this week. Having faced Fiji’s national sevens side on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series over the past few years, Conroy describes Fijian players as among the toughest and most naturally talented opponents he has encountered. He says when the opportunity arose to play in a local tournament in Fiji, he did not hesitate to accept the invitation. Article continues after advertisement Conroy adds that testing himself against the raw talent of local players is something he is particularly looking forward to. “I think this will be pure, raw, physical and prideful rugby. It’s different from 7s back home, this will be really tough.” Nicknamed the “Tullamore Tornado,” he has been a standout performer on the World Rugby Sevens Series, consistently featuring among the top try-scorers and using his athletics background to devastating effect on the wing. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Jackson highlights tough competition for starting 15 – FBC News
Swire Shipping Fijian Drua head coach Glen Jackson says selecting the starting 15 for each match this season will be a challenging task. With new signings such as Wallaby halfback Issak Fines-Leleiwasa and former Melbourne Rebels forward Angelo Smith in the squad, Jackson adds that competition for starting positions has been intense. He believes he has a strong side for this season, and he also mentions he is impressed with the lineup they have in their development squad, who are the future of the team. Article continues after advertisement “We have a wide range of players to pick from and competition for all positions have been very tough. Especially with our first game just around the corner. We also have a bunch of talented players in our development squad and I am excited to see what the future holds for them as well.” The Drua will be playing a pre-season match against the Skipper XV, a side consisting of players selected from last year’s Skipper Cup competition on February 6th. They will then face Moana Pasifika on February 14th in Lautoka. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Botia and Ravouvou shines for individual clubs – FBC News
While much of the rugby spotlight has been on the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua, our national sevens sides, and the upcoming McDonald’s Coral Coast 7s, two Flying Fijians have been turning heads in English and European rugby. Kaleveti Ravouvou was sensational for the Bristol Bears in the knockout stage of the Championship Cup last night, scoring two tries to help his side secure a 47 28 victory over the Bulls. Meanwhile, La Rochelle flanker Levani Botia was named Man of the Match in their narrow 25-24 defeat to Leinster, finishing the game with 13 tackles and 84 metres gained from carries. Article continues after advertisement Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Auvary urges younger players to learn from Fiji’s Wonder Boy – FBC News
Bula FC’s head coach is urging the club’s young local players to make the most of the opportunity to learn from Fiji’s Wonder Boy, Roy Krishna, over the coming months. He believes players such as 16-year-old Maikah Dau and 17-year-old Melvin Prakash are fortunate to be part of a squad that includes one of the region’s finest footballers. The coach hopes the youngsters, along with the rest of the team, will absorb Krishna’s advice during every training session and carry those lessons into the upcoming OFC Pro League season. Article continues after advertisement “The main question is how much are they willing to listen and to learn from him. You know when we’re young, sometimes we miss out on a lot of things, and we lack that wisdom but hopefully we can help them take as much as they can from him and from other players as well.” Krishna made history as the first Fijian to play in the A-League, the highest level of football in Australia and New Zealand, where he established himself as a prolific goal scorer. He won multiple Golden Boot awards and played key roles in domestic title successes and strong continental campaigns with clubs such as Wellington Phoenix, ATK Mohun Bagan and Odisha FC. At international level, Krishna captained Fiji and scored vital goals in World Cup and Olympic qualifiers. His consistency, longevity and leadership have earned him numerous individual honors and cemented his legacy as a trailblazer who has elevated Fiji’s profile on the global football stage. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Fijians to start in Champions Cup – FBC News
[Source:Bristol Bears/Facebook] A few Flying Fijians stars will start for their respective teams in another Champions Cup round tomorrow and Monday. Both Viliame Mata and Kalaveti Ravouvou are in the Bristol Bears run-on side to take on the Bulls from South Africa. 10 Springboks are in the Bulls starting line-up, including Handre Pollard and Willie Le Roux in what is a must-win match for them after they lost their opening two games. Article continues after advertisement Salesi Rayasi has been given the number 15 jersey for Bordeaux against Northampton Bordeaux made seven changes from their last match, France internationals Matthieu Jalibert, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Damian Penaud, Yoram Moefana and Cameron Woki all starting. Prop Eroni Mawi starts in the number one jumper for Saracens against French giants Toulouse. Former England captain Owen Farrell has been named on the bench as Saracens host Toulouse in the final match of the weekend. Fergus Burke continues at fly-half and captain Maro Itoje, who last started a game in November, is named in the second row. Six-time European champions Toulouse suffered a surprise loss to Glasgow in round two and have named a strong team that is captained by star scrum-half Antoine Dupont. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Man City sign ‘extraordinary’ Semenyo from Bournemouth – FBC News
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said the club have had their eye on Antoine Semenyo for years after they signed the Ghana winger from Bournemouth on Friday. Semenyo, who will be in the squad on Saturday when Guardiola’s side host League One outfit Exeter City in the third round of the FA Cup, is the Premier League’s third-highest scorer this season and will offer City’s Premier League title charge a timely boost. “Everyone knows his qualities, right?” Guardiola told reporters on Friday. “He played extraordinary at Bournemouth and can play on both sides – right, left – he uses both legs unbelievably. As a striker he can play as well, with his pace, and he knows the Premier League. Article continues after advertisement “Many clubs wanted him and he decided to join us. All I can say is thanks to him. Pretty pleased for the next years.” The 26-year-old, who has 10 league goals and three assists this season, arrives after City met his 65 million pound ($87.19 million) release clause, according to British media reports, amid competition from other Premier League rivals. “A few years (City had tracked Semenyo),” Guardiola said. “A long time we followed and for the situation we have up front with the wingers, we have three specific players Oscar (Bobb), Savinho and Jeremy (Doku), so we needed to reinforce for the next years and that’s why the club made the gesture to take him and at the perfect age (26). So the best years to come.” The versatile winger joins a City side that trails leaders Arsenal by six points in the Premier League after 21 games. “I have watched City over the last decade under Pep Guardiola, and they have been the dominant team in the Premier League as well as achieving amazing things in the Champions League, FA Cup, and League Cup,” Semenyo said in a statement. “They have set the highest of standards, and it’s a club with world-class players, world-class facilities and one of the greatest managers ever in Pep.“I have so much scope for improvement, so to be at this club, at this stage of my career, is perfect for me. It’s a real privilege to be here. My best football is yet to come, I am sure of that.” SCINTILLATING FORMThe Ghana international has been in scintillating form this season after joining Bournemouth in 2023 from Championship side Bristol City. He began the Premier League season with a double against champions Liverpool and maintained that momentum throughout the campaign, with his last goal for Bournemouth being a stoppage-time winner in a thrilling 3-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday. “Antoine is a really exciting signing for the football club. He made it clear to us immediately that it was City he wanted to join,” City’s director of football Hugo Viana said. “His enthusiasm for this football club has been clear throughout this process. He has a huge quality. Two great feet, pace, power, a habit of influencing games, and, importantly, real room for growth and development.” Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
Ba duo to join Chennai Bulls for Coral Coast 7s – FBC News
[Source:Ba Rugby Union/Facebook] Two Vinod Patel Ba Skipper Cup players will join former Fiji 7s coach, Ben Gollings, side Chennai Bulls from India for the McDonalds Coral Coast Fiji 7s next week. The players are Ponipate Bacaivalu and Meli Tuvusa, which has been confirmed by Ba Rugby Union secretary, Gaby Kautoga. Kautoga says the pair will link up with the Bulls after a clinic at Ba Methodist High School next Tuesday. Article continues after advertisement The clinic is part of a fledgling relationship between the Bulls and Ba Rugby, and is especially for the under 12 to 18 players who were part of the Nadi Junior 7s last month. In a statement, Kautoga says they’re delighted the Bulls have agreed to come to Ba and inspire their young players, which is the first in a line of initiatives between the two rugby bodies. Bulls Head Coach Gollings says the players are looking forward to working with Ba Rugby and sharing their knowledge and experience. Gollings adds they have four Indian national team players in the squad and this trip will provide valuable experience of playing 7s at the highest level. Last year Fiji 7s reps Filipe Sauturaga and Joseva Talacolo helped the Bulls win the Indian Premier League 7s. The Chennai Bulls are in pool C at the Coral Coast 7s with Dominion Brothers, Mike Friday Select and USA 7s. You can watch the action live and exclusively from next Thursday on FBC Sports. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.
World Cup looms, players focus on Super Rugby season – FBC News
[Source:Fijian Drua/Facebook] While many members of the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua are looking ahead to next year’s Rugby World Cup, co-captain Frank Lomani says his teammates remain fully focused on the upcoming Shop N Save Supermarket Super Rugby season. He admits that wearing the white jersey is a dream for almost every player, but emphasizes that they understand the responsibility they carry for the Drua. Lomani also expressed his excitement for the season, noting that the players will give their all as they aim to impress national coaches ahead of the World Cup. Article continues after advertisement “Yes, with the prep for the Rugby World Cup, that’s where everyone’s headed, everyone wants to put their hands up to represent the country. But right now, our focus is on Super Rugby 2026.” A seasoned international, Lomani represented the Flying Fijians at both the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cups, playing a total of eight matches. Since making his debut in 2017, he has earned 40 caps for Fiji, establishing himself as a key figure in the national team. Stream the best of Fiji on VITI+. Anytime. Anywhere.