Flying Fijians - Road to the Rugby World Cup 2019

Flying Fijians - Road to the Rugby World Cup 2019

By Fijivillage
Friday 04/10/2019
Fiji Airways Flying Fijians during their training

McKee's contract expires in early December - Kean (Wednesday 16/10/2019)

By: Vijay Narayan

Fiji Rugby Union Chairman Francis Kean says Fiji Airways Flying Fijians Coach John McKee's contract expires in early December and the Board will follow due process similar for all employment contracts at FRU.

It has already been revealed that McKee will be out of contract at the end of this Rugby World Cup cycle however he is already planning for the 2023 tournament in France.

McKee also says securing Fiji's place in France will give him the chance to blood new talent over the next four years, with some experienced hands expected to retire. 

When asked by Fijivillage, Kean says the FRU Board looks forward to reviewing McKee's Rugby World Cup Report.

He says this is a routine exercise for all our national rugby team coaches.

The next Board meeting is scheduled for early November.

McKee will now prepare the Fiji team for the Barbarians test match in Twickenham on 16th November. 

Meanwhile, England Rugby Coach Eddie Jones will be fresh off the plane from Japan and the Rugby World Cup to lead the Barbarians and he has emphasized that being selected to coach the Barbarians was such an honour.

 

McKee wants to continue to coach Fiji (Wednesday 16/10/2019)

By: Vijay Narayan

Fiji Airways Flying Fijians coach, John McKee will be out of contract at the end of this Rugby World Cup cycle according to worldrugbynews however McKee is already planning for the 2023 tournament in France.

McKee also says securing Fiji's place in France will give him the chance to blood new talent over the next four years, with some experienced hands expected to retire.

The process is expected to be undertaken by the Fiji Rugby Union board where they get reports from the coach and management, and further discuss what is best for the team going forward.

We will have more later today.

 

McKee proud of players achievement in 2019 RWC (Thursday 10/10/2019)

By: Navitalai Naivalurua

Fiji Airways Flying Fijians Coach John McKee is proud of what the players achieved in their game against Wales last night.

Speaking after their 29-17 loss to Wales, McKee says they really took the game to another level against the Six Nations champion.

He says a lot of work has gone into their preparations and the players have put in their best for this tournament.

Flying Fijians captain, Dominiko Waqaniburotu says it is not always easy taking part in this tournament, the pressure is always there and the players performance after their defeat was very professional and graceful.

Fiji remains in third place in their pool with 7 points, Australia is now in second with 11 points while Wales is in first place with 14 points.

Two more matches are left in Pool D with Australia taking on Georgia at 10.15 pm tomorrow while Wales will face Uruguay at 8.15 pm this Sunday.

 

Flying Fijians last pool match against Wales to determine whether Fiji automatically qualifies for 2023 RWC (Wednesday 09/10/2019)

Flying Fijians determined to finish RWC pool stage on a high as they finalise preparations for match against Wales (Tuesday 08/10/2019)

Flying Fijians name their strongest side to face Wales in their final RWC 2019 pool match (Monday 07/10/2019)

By: Naveel Krishant 

Fiji Airways Flying Fijians coach John McKee has named a strong team to face Wales in the all-important Rugby World Cup match.

He has made one change from the team that beat Georgia.

Viliame Mata will start the match at number 8 while Peceli Yato has been named on the bench.

Mata will be joined by captain, Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Campese Ma'afu, Sam Matavesi, Manasa Saulo, Leone Nakarawa, Tevita Cavubati and Semi Kunatani.

Frank Lomani, Ben Volavola, Semi Radradra, Waisea Nayacalevu, Levani Botia, Josua Tuisova and Kini Murimurivalu make up the backline.

Fiji plays Wales at 9.45pm Wednesday.

Flying Fijians Round 4 Pool D Rugby World Cup team v Wales

Campese Ma’afu
Sam Matavesi
Manasa Saulo
Tevita Cavubati
Leone Nakarawa
Dominiko Waqaniburotu
Semi Kunatani
Viliame Mata
Frank Lomani
Ben Volavola
Semi Radradra
Levani Botia
Waisea Nayacalevu
Josua Tuisova
Kini Murimurivalu

 
Reserves

16.  Mesulame Dolokoto
17. Eroni Mawi
18. Peni Ravai
19. Apisalome Ratuniyarawa
20. Peceli Yato
21. Nikola Matawalu
22. Jale Vatubua
23. Josh Matavesi

 

The Flying Fijians' last chance (Sunday 06/10/2019)

Semi Radradra produces man of the match performance as Fiji thrash Georgia (Friday 04/10/2019)

By: Naveel Krishant/Semi Turaga

Fiji Airways Flying Fijians winger Semi Radradra produced a man of the match performance as Fiji thrashed Georgia 45-10 to secure their first win of the Rugby World Cup.

Radradra scored two tries, provided three try assists and ran a massive 177 metres in the game.

Fiji is now second in Pool D with 7 points while Wales leads with 9 points.

It is important to note that Australia who are third with 6 points plays Uruguay on Saturday in their third game. 

The win also means Fiji is in contention for direct qualification for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Fiji still has a chance to qualify to the play-offs provided they beat Wales with a bonus point and stop Wales from getting any bonus point and hope that Wales loses to Uruguay or that Australia loses one of its two matches.

Fiji's tries were scored by Frank Lomani, Josua Tuisova, Semi Radradra, Api Ratuniyarawa, Waisea Nayacalevu and Semi Kunatani.

Fiji stepped up when it came to the scrum matching the Georgians as Fiji won 19 set pieces and had a 100% success rate in the scrum. 

Fiji will now play Wales in an all important match at 9.45 pm next Wednesday.

McKee selects a full-strength side to face Georgia as they chase their 1st RWC win (Wednesday 02/10/2019)

Direct qualification for the next Rugby World Cup could also be on the line against Georgia (Tuesday 01/10/2019)

Medical tests to be conducted on some players ahead of Georgia game - McKee (Tuesday 01/10/2019)

Fiji want to implement their way of playing but Georgia will bring a sense of physicality - Volavola (Monday 30/09/2019)

Flying Fijians had the biggest training day of the week (Monday 30/09/2019) 

Fiji will have to overcome the physicality of the Georgians - McKee  (Sunday 29/09/2019)

Flying Fijians re-focused for the all-important game against Georgia - McKee (Sunday 29/09/2019)

Defeat against Uruguay is not the end of the tournament - Frank Lomani (Saturday 28/09/2019)

Fiji must win against Georgia (Friday 27/09/2019)

Hodge claims he didn't know World Rugby's decision making framework for high tackles (Friday 27/09/2019)

By: Dhanjay Deo

Commercial Photography

Winger Reece Hodge has put Australian Rugby in more poor light when he claimed he didn't know World Rugby's decision‑making framework for high tackles.

The framework gives officials guidance on whether an act of foul play is worthy of a sanction.

Hodge, a rugby professional for three years with 38 Wallabies caps, made the remarkable assertion in his defence against a citing for a dangerous high tackle at the Rugby World Cup.

In a report on the disciplinary hearing released on Thursday, a day after Hodge was suspended for the Wallabies' remaining three pool games, the disciplinary committee was taken aback and concerned by Hodge's claim.

Commercial Photography

The committee noted: that Hodge conceded that he had no effective knowledge of World Rugby's `Decision-making framework for high tackles' - had not been trained on it, was not across it because the tackles he makes are predominantly in the waist to knees area.

The panel disagreed with Hodge's defense that Yato hit him and not the other way round, that Hodge initially intended to tackle him hip-high, that Yato lowered himself before the tackle, and that the tackle was reactionary.

Australia will face Wales at 7.45 pm this Sunday.

[Source:Stuff.co]

 

Yato and Kunatani expected to feature for RWC match against Georgia (Friday 27/09/2019)

McKee says it will be challenging for Fiji to progress from pool stages after historical loss to Uruguay (Thursday 26/09/2019)

Flying Fijians dropped from 10th to 12th on World Rugby standings after their two RWC losses (Thursday 26/09/2019)

Flying Fijians still have a chance to qualify for RWC quarter-final despite hopeless performance against Uruguay (Thursday 26/09/2019)

By: Vijay Narayan

Commercial Photography

The Fiji Airways Flying Fijians still have a mathematical chance to qualify for the Rugby World Cup quarter-final despite a hopeless performance against Uruguay yesterday.

This will be based on other results going our way.

Fiji has to thrash Georgia by 50 or more points and we have to beat Wales.

For Fiji to qualify, Australia has to beat Wales by 21 points or more and Wales win margins has to be less than 10 points.

If this happens then Fiji is likely to face England in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final.

England is likely to top their pool and will meet either Wales, Australia or Fiji in the quarters - depending on how results go in the remaining rounds.

Defending champions, New Zealand will either meet Japan, Scotland or Samoa in the second quarter-final.

Australia or Wales will take on France or Argentina in the third quarter-final.

Ireland is likely to meet South Africa in the last quarter-final.

The first two quarter-finals will be held on Saturday 19th October while the 3rd and 4th quarters will be held on Sunday 20th October.

Barring any upsets, the All Blacks will meet England in the first semi-final on Saturday 26th October. 

Australia or Wales will meet South Africa in the second semi-final on Diwali night on Sunday 27th October.

The World Cup Final will kick off at 9pm Saturday, November 2nd.

Many people are predicting the All Blacks to meet the Springboks in the final.

However, England, Australia, Wales, France, Ireland, and Argentina could spring a few surprises that may result in a change in scenario on the road to the final.

 

Gaminara could not contain emotions after Uruguay's 30-27 RWC victory over Fiji (Thursday 26/09/2019)

By: Naveel Krishant

Commercial Photography

Uruguay captain Juan Manuel Gaminara could not contain his emotions, shedding tears after his side's 30‑27 Rugby World Cup victory over Fiji.

As the South American side caused easily the upset of the tournament so far, Gaminara led Uruguay to the most significant victory in their short history.

Speaking after the match, the captain wept at the scale of Uruguay's achievement.

He says Uruguay had their sights locked on Fiji since they qualified for the World Cup, targeting a victory that would show they belong at the highest level.

Gaminara says he is really proud of his country adding they are not the biggest, they are not the tallest, but they came to win.

Uruguay had not won a World Cup match since beating Georgia in 2003 and tears flowed after the referee blew the final whistle, sparking huge celebrations from the winning camp.

The last time these two teams faced each other Fiji stormed to a comfortable 68‑7 victory.

It was the biggest score Uruguay has ever recorded in a World Cup game and it was well worthy of the win against a Fiji side who failed to impress.

Uruguay has won soccer's World Cup twice but the country has a small pool of rugby talent to choose from ‑‑ just 6,000 active players, a number which includes children.

Meanwhile, Italy takes on Canada at 7.45 tonight while England plays USA at 10.45 tonight

More...

Reece Hodge suspended for 3 weeks for dangerous tackle on Yato (Thursday 26/09/2019)

Fiji lose to Uruguay 27-30 in huge upset at the Rugby World Cup (Thursday 26/09/2019)

Bonus points could have the final say - McKee (Wednesday 25/09/2019)

World Rugby makes unusual move of calling out their officials for their performances (Wednesday 25/09/2019)

New players to step up on leadership roles - McKee (Wednesday 25/09/2019)

Fiji and Uruguay to observe a minute of silence in Kamasishi (Tuesday 24/09/2019)

McKee believes they can fix problems with their scrum before their match against Uruguay (Tuesday 24/09/2019)

Fiji insincere for referring Hodge's tackle (Monday 23/09/2019)

Kiwi referee under pressure for giving Murimurivalu a low-five after Fiji scored against the Wallabies (Monday 23/09/2019)

Hodge cited for tackle on Yato awaits decision (Monday 23/09/2019)

Flying Fijians team named to face Uruguay this Wednesday (Monday 23/09/2019)

Flying Fijians settle in well ahead of 2nd RWC match against Uruguay (Monday 23/09/2019)

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