All Blacks Retain Timoci Tavatavanawai for Rugby Championship

Rugby Fiji-born player Timoci Tavatavanawai has been confirmed in the All Blacks squad for the upcoming Rugby Championship series, which begins on August 17. Head coach Scott Robertson announced Tavatavanawai’s inclusion alongside fellow alumni from Queen Victoria School, Sevu Reece and Emoni Narawa. This marks a significant moment as Tavatavanawai is one of 16 players of Pasifika heritage selected to compete against Argentina, Australia, and South Africa.

In addition to Tavatavanawai’s selection, two other players of Pasifika descent, George Bower and Tevita Mafileo, have been named as injury replacements. The All Blacks will face the Pumas in their opening match of the series.

In football news, three Fijian players tested positive for illegal substances during the Fiji Football Association-organized Battle of the Giants tournament held in Labasa over the weekend. Mohammed Yusuf, the chief executive of the Fiji Football Association, reported that 48 tests were conducted on both Friday and Saturday. According to local reports, disciplinary measures for offenders can range from fines and three-month suspensions for first-time violations to more severe penalties for repeat offenders. The Fiji Football Association plans to collaborate with a non-governmental organization to promote drug awareness across the country.

In netball, the Fiji men’s team achieved a close victory against New Zealand, winning 43-42 on the opening day of an invitational tournament in Suva. This match marked the first meeting between the two teams in men’s netball, and local broadcaster FBC noted that the high-energy encounter lived up to expectations. Additionally, Fiji A secured a commanding 60-37 win over Tonga in the first match of the tournament. The event continues on Tuesday, with Fiji A set to face New Zealand while Tonga competes against the main Fiji team.

The chairman of World Rugby, Brett Robinson, recently emphasized the significance of rugby in the Pacific region. His remarks came after Pacific rugby leaders expressed concerns regarding the National Rugby League’s (NRL) investment in the area. The NRL has entered a multi-million-dollar agreement between the Australian and Papua New Guinea governments, raising apprehensions about its potential impact on rugby union. Speaking at the launch of the ticketing program for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, Robinson expressed confidence in rugby’s standing within the Pacific.

In a broader sporting context, Jerry Tan, president of the Northern Marianas Sports Association, announced plans to send the largest delegation ever from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) to the 2027 Pacific Games in Tahiti. During a celebration ceremony for CNMI athletes who participated in the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau, Tan stated the goal is to dispatch 259 athletes competing in various sports, including football, swimming, va’a, baseball, sailing, taekwondo, and powerlifting. He mentioned that efforts to secure a charter flight with Air Tahiti would commence soon, alongside fundraising activities to support Team NMI.