Fijiana ready for strong foes, Fiji stars set to miss World Cup, and Warriors half-back could play for Samoa
Fijiana expect powerful Canadian side
The Fijiana 15s are bracing themselves for a power-packed Canada side when they face off on Friday in their second Rugby World Cup warm-up.
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Forwards coach Greg Smith said the Canadians tend to commit their bigger players in set-piece plays and this is something they have to be ready for.
Six Fijianas 7s players are included in the 15s squad for the game.
Last Friday, the Fijiana won their first tune-up match, beating the New Zealand Wahine Maori 32-10 in Suva.
"During the Maori game there were things that we improved in during the game, but there are areas that we need to be better at to take on the next four teams, Canada, England, France and South Africa. They are a more forward-oriented, very strong team and they maul, scrum and they pick and go so that's our focus at the moment," Smith said.
Smith said one of their key areas is on the breakdown and having the players to roll away quickly from the ruck so as to avoid giving away unnecessary penalties.
Fiji NRL stars set to miss Rugby World Cup
The Fiji Bati has suffered a big blow with two of its NRL players likely to be unavailable for the Rugby League World Cup.
Mikaele Ravalawa has a hamstring injury, while Marcello Montoya injured his knee in the Warrior's defeat to the Panthers in what is likely a season-ending injury.
Fiji Bati coach Joe Rabele will be leaving for Australia on Friday to join the squad in camp before they depart for England on Sunday.
Fiji is in group B with Australia, Italy and Scotland.
The tournament kicks off on October 15.
Asi could turn out for Toa Samoa
Former New Zealand Warriors half-back Daejarn Asi is in line to represent Toa Samoa at the upcoming Rugby League World Cup.
The 22-year-old was not re-signed by the Warriors for 2023 and is looking for his next NRL opportunity.
But New Zealand's Newshub reports it is understood Asi is on the radar of Samoan selectors.
Asi, who is Maori-Samoan, said that being able to represent Samoa would be a special moment for his family.
He said he got a few phone calls earlier this year saying he was on the wider list.
Lewas coach confident of turning around fortunes after loss
The Papua New Guinea Lewas have suffered an eight-wicket loss to Zimbabwe in the Women's Twenty-20 cricket World Cup Qualifier in Abu Dhabi.
The national women's team elected to bat first and scored 83 runs off 18 overs.
Zimbabwe reached the target after 14.4 overs.
Coach Kath Hempenstall told The National they are working towards putting together a complete performance in both their batting and bowling innings as a team.
PNG's top scorer Tanya Ruma worked 25 runs off 35 balls against a strong Zimbabwe attack but none of the other Lewas could add double digit scores restricting to a paltry total.
She said they're confident that their best cricket is good enough to succeed in the tournament.