Rugby World Cup

'We want to put shots in': England set to fight Samoan fire with fire

With a quarter-final on the horizon in Marseille on October 15, there might be a temptation for the already qualified English to sit back and let their final Pool D game unfold without fighting fully in the collisions.

However, assistant coach Wigglesworth has explained that England won’t shy away from confrontation despite the run that saw them suffer three red cards in four matches, including the dismissal of Tom Curry less than three minutes into the Rugby World Cup opener versus Argentina on September 9.

Fiji is most disciplined, best at breakdown

Fiji has so far conceded 24 penalties, averaging eight per game and in defense they’ve only been penalized five times.

In turnovers, the Flying Fijians have won the most per game and their stats stand at 8.3 with 5 of those coming from the breakdown, the best by any team.

The national side is the only team to still have 100% scrum success, however, they’re not as good in their lineout as they’ve lost the most per game which is four and joint with Ireland for just sixth-best success rate at 78%.

Cane returns as captain, NZ keep big guns for Uruguay clash

Coach Ian Foster made nine changes to the starting side that thrashed Italy 96-17 at the same venue last weekend, resting regular starters such as Ardie Savea, Aaron Smith and Rieko Ioane ahead of the quarter-finals.

"It is a short turnaround from our last game against Italy but being able to play in Lyon for back-to-back games has helped with our preparation," Foster said.

"We are confident in the direction we are heading so it's now about putting out another solid performance and growing our game."

Two confirmed, six out of Rugby World Cup

Six places in the last eight are still to play for and it’ll be determined this weekend.

Namibia, Tonga, Romania, Georgia, Portugal and Chile are no longer in contention for a top eight finish.

12 teams including the Fiji Water Flying Fijians will now battle for the six remaining quarter-final spots.

France, New Zealand, Italy, Uruguay, Scotland, Ireland, South Africa, Australia, Japan, Argentina and Samoa are the other nations that have a chance of qualifying.

Fiji Rugby’s Josua Tuisova makes ultimate sacrifice after his son’s passing

This has been confirmed by Tuisova’s father, Isikeli Ratulevu to Fijivillage,  who has been making the necessary preparations for the funeral in Votua, Ba today.

Ratulevu says Tuisova was informed about his son’s death just hours before the game.

His son passed away after long-term illness.

The Flying Fijians play Portugal in their final pool match at 7am next Monday.

For Fiji to make it to the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals they only need 1 point.

Flying Fijians retain winning team for Georgia

Winger Selesitino Ravutaumada was the lone change in the Flying Fijians' starting lineup, while Samu Tawake was named on the bench.

Ravutaumada replaced Jiuta Wainiqolo and Tawake came in for Mesake Doge.

Both Wainiqolo and Doge were injured and have been rested.

Fiji head coach Simon Raiwalui kept 14 players in the starting lineup from the team that beat Australia two weekends ago in Saint Etienne, insisting on consistency.

He said Georgia will not be easy, and they have named their team accordingly.

Japan beat Samoa to keep last eight hopes alive, England through to quarters

Tries by Pieter Labuschagne, Michael Leitch, Kazuki Himeno and 13 points from the boot of Rikiya Matsuda gave Japan a comprehensive victory as they leapfrogged their opponents into second place in Pool D with nine points.

Samoa, who had Ben Lam red carded early in the second half and answered with tries by Seilala Lam, Duncan Paia’aua and Christian Leali’ifano as well as points from the tee by Alai D’Angelo Leuila and Leali’ifano, are third on six points.

Riley starts at centre - Japan name team to play Samoa

Dylan Riley starts at outside-centre in place of Tomoki Osada and Lomano Lemeki comes in at full-back for the injured Semisi Masiresa, the two changes to his starting 15 from the team that lost to England. 

1 Keita Inagaki 
2 Shota Horie 
3 Jiwon Gu 
4 Jack Cornelsen 
5 Amato Fakatava 
6 Michael Leitch
7 Pieter Labuschagne 
8 Kazuki Himeno (c)
9 Yutaka Nagare 
10 Rikiya Matsuda 
11 Jone Naikabula 
12 Ryoto Nakamura
13 Dylan Riley 
14 Kotaro Matsushima 
15 Lomano Lemeki 

Rugby World Cup: Deysel and Fifita handed bans for dangerous play

Namibia captain Johan Deysel has been given an effective five match suspension for his dangerous tackle on Antoine Dupont that left the France skipper with a facial fracture,

Former All Black forward Vaea Fifita has been ruled out of the rest of Tonga's campaign after copping a four match ban for dangerously charging into a ruck during the Pacific Islander's loss to Scotland.

Fifita's shoulder collided with Scottish first-five Finn Russell's head in the clumsy cleanout late in the game.

Powerful winger picked to start for Samoa against Japan

In the back-row, Taleni Seu will feature after an impressive display off the bench last week, covering 25 meters, including 20 meters gained past the gain-line, in just 26 minutes.

Sa Jordan Taufua is set to start as number eight, replacing former All Black Steven Luatua. This marks Taufua’s first start since November 2022, with his test rugby appearances this season limited to under 40 minutes in each of his three caps as a substitute.