Rugby

Fiji have dampened the hype surrounding Tonga's new all-star cast, pummelling the 'Ikale Tahi 36-0 in their Pacific Nations Cup clash in Suva.

The result lifts Fiji to the top of the Pacific Nations Cup table, one point clear of second-placed Samoa, who earlier recorded a last-gasp win against Australia A at ANZ National Stadium. A penalty goal to fullback Seta Tuicuvu, kicking in the absence of Tela, gave Fiji a comprehensive 22-0 lead at half-time. Even with the numerical advantage, the Tongans struggled to capitalise as their forwards battled to match the physicality of their Fijian counterparts at the set piece and failed to capitalise on the ill-discipline of their opponents.

Controversial former Wallabies star endures sorry international comeback, forced off early in Tonga's Pacific Nations Cup defeat to Fiji.

A beautiful mind crunching all the player stats. If quality local sport journalism is important to you, become a Stuff supporter today. You need journalists close enough to smell the liniment. Tonga were then their own worst enemies on attack. Fekitoa went on some of his renowned hard carries but endured several handling issues, including when he had a try rightly ruled out by Kiwi referee Ben O’Keeffee for a little knock on; Piutau showed his noted fine footwork and dangerous running, while Tamanivalu went close to scoring a try, but was beaten to the ball in the in-goal. However, in what was a dreadful opening for Tonga, who fell behind 19-0 after 25 minutes, Folau, in the No 14 jeresy, was quite the anonymous figure, getting his hands on the ball just once, where he was well-tackled close to the Fiji tryline.

The controversial former Wallaby lasted less than 30 minutes in the Tonga-Fiji test.

Samoa drew ahead again in the 69th with a try to Jonathan Taumateine, leading 26-19 until Tuttle's late try and Ah-Wong's second decided the match. Center Kaliveti Ravouvou finished a movement which swept almost the length of the field in the 24th minute for Fiji's third try. The 33-year-old star scored 37 tries in 73 test for Australia before returning to rugby league amid controversy over homophobic social media posts.

A two-try blast from flanker Fraser McReight was not enough today when an Australia A comeback fell short 31-26 against Samoa in the Pacific Nations Cup.

Ah Wong’s mits were quicker and he gratefully seized the intercept for a 20m run and the winning try. It was only blighted at the death when he tried to feed a pass to Campbell on full-time. You sensed Australia A had the impetus. A low stab kick ahead by centre Lalakai Foketi bounced off a Samoan leg and perfectly for McReight to score. Both are great lessons to receive on a return to international rugby for both programs. The Aussie A team were stung by the quick, ad lib flair and defensive line speed of the physical Samoans.

Israel Folau's return to international rugby lasted only half an hour as his Tonga team were thrashed 36-0 by a clinical Fiji in their Pacific Nations Cup ...

Israel Folau suffered a nightmare return to international rugby with Tonga on Saturday - Israel Folau suffered a nightmare return to international rugby on Saturday Israel Folau suffers NIGHTMARE return to international rugby as former Australia star gets ONE touch of the ball before limping off after half an hour as Tonga are thrashed by Fiji

Folau sustained a leg injury during the first half of the Test; The former Wallabies back was sacked by Rugby Australia in 2019; Folau was one of nine Tongan ...

That fire power was not enough to hold out Fiji, who was playing a Test at home for the first time in almost three years. Folau left the field with a leg injury in the 27th minute and was replaced by Tima Fainga'anuku, who made his debut for Tonga on the same day his brother Leicester was due to make his Test debut for New Zealand against Ireland. Folau took the field on the right wing for Tonga in his first Test since 2019.

A former secondary school teacher of a Kiwi rugby star turned Irish international has revealed how giving a ride home from central Auckland spared his pupil ...

Aki went on to score a try against the All Blacks in the Eden Park clash, with the visitors losing 19-42. Wagener went on to explain he was being "more of a clown" than aggressive. "Hopefully when he's out celebrating his try against the All Blacks tonight, Bundee Aki doesn't get any grief from the police, and doesn't need anyone to take him home this time," he posted. The teacher was told that Aki was being disorderly and that he was going to be taken in for processing. "From what I could see, he wasn't being particularly disorderly, and I really didn't want him to get a record for annoying a cop," wrote Wagener. Michael Wagener has recounted on social media how 15 years ago he saw a young Bundee Aki "being hassled by police" in Aotea Square.