Barbarian's New Zealand lock Liam Mitchell catches the ball during the International rugby union match between Barbarians and Fiji at Twickenham Stadium, south-west London, on 22 June 2024. Photo: Glyn KIRK / AFP
Flying Fijians fall short but performance praised
Former Flying Fijian Waisale Serevi says the team played gallantly against the Barbarians in London on Sunday morning, despite going down 45-32 in the end.
The team arrived in London on Friday, trained on Saturday and played on Sunday.
They had only one Europe-based player available after France and the home union clubs did not release the Fijian players named in the initial squad.
"Proud of you all my Flying Fijians brothers," Serevi said in a message to the players.
"You arrived Thursday, team run Friday, game on Saturday. We watched an exciting game till the last 10 minutes when travelling hits you all.
"If you ask Tier 1 teams they won't do it, only we can do it through Christ who gives us strength."
Serevi, now the new India Sevens team coach, said the fact that players named were not released was disappointing but the Fijian Drua players stood up to the test.
Flying Fijians captain Meli Derenalagi said he was happy with the outcome despite their loss at Twickenham Stadium.
"Looking at how far we have come, every obstacle we have faced, coming out today I want to thank my brothers for being resilient and showing courage while playing they did well," Derenalagi said after the game.
"We travelled a long way and ended up here on Thursday night and we showed up today showing what the boys and I have trained and to show that kind of game, a big hats off to the boys."
He said the team could have performed better had they spent more time together in London.
Fiji's prop Epeli Momo (L) blows a kiss as he runs past Barbarian's New Zealand full back Chay Fihaki during the International rugby union match between Barbarians and Fiji at Twickenham Stadium, south-west London, on 22 June 2024. Photo: Glyn KIRK / AFP
Fiji winger Epeli Momo scored a hat-trick but the side fell short in the end.
Derenalagi was hailed for an outstanding performance at number six.
The match was farewell for former All Blacks skipper Sam Whitelock.
AAP reported the 35-year-old forward, twice a World Cup winner with New Zealand, received a rousing round of applause from all corners of the stadium in southwest London as he left the field late on.
Whitelock gave an assured performance at lock alongside England international David Ribbans against a free-flowing Fiji team.
Former England winger Jonny May scored twice for the Barbarians, whose other tries came from Lachlan Boshier (two), Chay Fihaki, Zach Mercer and New Zealand international Leicester Fainga'anuku.
Boshier opened the scoring in the 18th minute before the Fijians hit back through their expansive attack and Momo.
They scored twice before tries to May and Fainga'anuku levelled the scores at the break.
Both wingers crossed once again before Momo's hat-trick got the Fijians back into the match.
A try and penalty to Kemu Valetini gave Fiji the lead late, only for two late tries to give the Barbarians the win,
Also included for the Barbarians were Gold Coast-born Jack Cornelsen - the son of 1970s and 1980s Wallaby Greg Cornelsen - who represents Japan at international level, and former Wallabies prop Scott Sio.
The star-studded Baa-Baas - coached by ex-Wallabies mentor Robbie Deans - were pushed hard by Fiji, with Momo's three tries added to by Kemueli Valentini's 10 points and seven more from five-eighth Caleb Muntz.
The Flying Fijians now prepare for a one-off Test against Georgia on 5 July before they face the All Blacks in San Diego on 20 July.
Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu holds up the trophy as the Blues team celebrate winning the Super Rugby Pacific final. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Blues Pasifika players lead title win
The Blues have broken a 21-year Super Rugby title drought, sweeping aside the Chiefs in a 41-10 drubbing at a sold-out Eden Park on Saturday to claim the title that had eluded them since 2003.
In the first ever final between the two New Zealand sides in their 28-year history, the Blues were dominant, and featuring prominently for the side in their winning performance were Pasifika heritage players.
Led by captain Patrick Tuipulotu, of Samoan heritage, the side also featured other players who have links to Samoa in brothers Akira and Rieko Ioane, Mark Tele'a, Caleb Clarke, AJ Lam and Angua Ta'avao.
Their Tongan heritage players were Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Joshua Fusitu'a and Taufa Funaki.
Number eight Hoskins Sotutu was their Fijian input.
Clarked scored a hat-trick in the game while Lam added one of his own try as well.
Sotutu was in a match-up against his Chiefs opposite Wallace Sititi and won impressively.
The Chiefs also had their fair share of Tongan heritage players in Jimmy Tupou, Tupou Vaa'i, Samipeni Finau, Sititi, Emoni Narawa and Quinn Tupaea.
The driving Auckland rain made the ball slippery throughout.
But the fabs turned up in numbers, with a sell-out crowd defying the rain and the cold.
Skipper Patrick Tuipulotu led by example upfront for the Blues as he time and again took the Chiefs forwards on and gained metres with ball in hand.
His brave display four weeks ahead of his scheduled return from injury earned him a standing ovation from the home fans as he was subbed off as he claimed player of the match honours.
"It's a surreal feeling with the boys on the bench for the final two minutes, I can't describe the feeling, there's a lot of joy," Tuipulotu said after the game.
"It's been a long time and really proud of the effort our team has put in to get this win.
"It's important to this team, a lot of them are young and we wanted to add to the legacy of Blues Rugby. I think we can proud that we've done that."
The Chiefs defended valiantly but were out-muscled and outclassed on a joyless night.
Chiefs captain Like Jacoson said after the game they were beaten by a tough and physical Blues side.
"A very tough one out here tonight. Firstly credit to the Blues - you played an awesome season. You came out and set it right from the get go tonight and made it tough for us to stay in the game," Jacobson said.
"Really unfortunate we couldn't get it done tonight."
Vanuatu beach volleyballers miss out
Vanuatu's women's beach volleyball team has failed to qualify for the Paris Olympics.
The team lost 2-0 to New Zealand at the ContinentalCup Final Olympic qualifier in Ningbo, China at the weekend.
New Zealand won 21-17 and 21-17 in both sets.
Vanuatu Beach Volleyball says the team will return to Autralia, where the players are based as seasonal workers, and will continue to prepare for other international events.
The players who made the quarterfinals were Sherysyn Toko, Majabelle Lawac, Linline Matauatu, Loti Joe and Luduine Tebeim (Reserve).
The team was coached by Shanon Zunker and assisted by Myles Burfield as the physio,
Nadroga Snr takes home the Skipper Cup 2024 title after beating Suva 22 points to 17. Photo: Fiji Rugby
Fiji Rugby winners
Nadroga is the new Skippers Cup champions in Fiji after they defeated Suva 22-17 in the final on Saturday.
The Skippers Cup is the premier competition for men's rugby managed by the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU).
Suva were the defending champions.
The FRU said in the final minutes of the game, Nadroga's team surged forward with unyielding determination.
A swift pass, a breakaway run, and a last-second try secured their victory.
Nadroga head coach Aca Ratuva said it was a tough game.
"It was a very tough game today and it could have gone either way but we are just grateful that we were able to come out victorious," the former Nadroga and Fiji flanker said.
"After we fell short during the Farebrother final against Naitasiri, we went back and prepared ourselves even more because we did not want to miss this win. It was do or die and today's game was full of passion. Thus, the boys showed just how much they loved Nadroga and the game of rugby."
The union's Under-20 team claimed the title too with a 43-36 win over Naitasiri.
In the ANZ MARAMA Cup, Suva defended the title with a 31-29 win over Namosi in the final.